By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Ocean County announced that on September 22, Jehmar Barrett, 36, of Lacey Township, was sentenced by the Honorable Kimarie Rahill, J.S.C., to six years in New Jersey State Prison as a result of his previously entered guilty plea to Manslaughter in connection with the death of a 35-year-old female in Toms River on November 24, 2020.
Officials said this sentence will be subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act, meaning that Barrett will be required to serve at least 85 percent of his prison sentence before he may be considered for parole eligibility.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer reported that Barrett pled guilty to the charge before Judge Rahill on June 19, 2023.
According to officials, on November 24, 2020, Toms River Township Police Officers responded to a residence on Alabama Avenue for a report of an unresponsive female.
Upon arrival, officials stated, officers discovered the body of the victim, who was already deceased from an apparent drug overdose.
A subsequent investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit and Toms River Police Detective Bureau determined that Barrett distributed heroin and cocaine to the victim on November 23, 2020, officials say.
Authorities say further investigation and toxicology analysis received by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed the presence of fentanyl in the victim’s system.
It was determined through laboratory analysis that the controlled dangerous substance distributed to the victim by Barrett, initially believed to be heroin, was, in fact, fentanyl, matching the fentanyl found in the victim’s system.
According to officials, based on the toxicology analysis, the Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office opined that the fentanyl found in the victim’s system was the cause of her death.
On April 29, 2021, Barrett was charged in connection with the victim’s death, officials say.
Officials stated on April 30, 2021, Barrett surrendered himself to Toms River Township Police Department Headquarters, was transported to the Ocean County Jail, and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
