Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on May 4, William Anderson, 57, of Browns Mills, was indicted on charges of Strict Liability Drug-Induced Death, Distribution of Cocaine, Distribution of Fentanyl, Possession of less than One-Half Ounce of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of less than One Ounce of Fentanyl with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Distribute less than One-Half Ounce of Cocaine and Conspiracy to Distribute less than One Ounce of Fentanyl.
According to Prosecutor Billhimer, on February 28, 2019, Officers from the Toms River Township Police Department were summoned to the Pelican Inn for a report of an unresponsive male.
Upon arrival, Officers found a 29-year-old male apparently suffering from a drug overdose.
Prosecutor Billhimer said that officers immediately attempted life-saving measures. EMS personnel arrived and were able to re-establish a pulse.
The victim was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River, where he ultimately expired on March 2, 2019.
Further investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force and Toms River Township Police Department Detective Bureau determined that Anderson had supplied heroin and cocaine to a third party on February 27, 2019, which was ultimately supplied to the victim.
According to Prosecutor Billhimer, Toxicology analysis later received by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed the presence of cocaine and fentanyl in the victim’s system.
It was determined through laboratory analysis that the controlled dangerous substances supplied to the victim and distributed by Anderson was, in fact, cocaine and fentanyl - matching the cocaine and fentanyl found in the victim’s system.
Prosecutor Billhimer said that based on the toxicology analysis, the Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office opined that the cocaine and fentanyl found in the victim’s system were the cause of his death.
As a consequence, Anderson was charged with Strict Liability Drug Induced Death on August 20, 2021. On August 24, 2021, Anderson was arrested by Detectives from the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office and Pemberton Township Police Department.
He was transported to the Ocean County Jail and later released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.