Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina and Pemberton Township Police Chief David Jantas announced that a township drug dealer was charged with causing the death of a customer to whom she sold fentanyl-laced heroin last year.
Officials said Shannon McGuigan, 32, was charged with one count of Strict Liability for Drug-Induced Death (First Degree) and Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (Third Degree).
According to authorities, she was taken into custody Friday evening at her residence by officers from the Pemberton Township Police Department, who found cocaine on her person and brought an additional charge of Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (Third Degree).
The defendant was not detained during a hearing Saturday in Superior Court in Mount Holly.
Police said the victim, a 26-year-old female, was discovered dead in her Pemberton Township home by a family member the morning of May 30, 2017. An autopsy performed by Burlington County Medical Examiner Dr. Ian Hood indicated the cause of death was due to heroin and fentanyl toxicity.
The investigation revealed that the victim purchased drugs from McGuigan a short time before she fatally overdosed.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Jeremy Lackey. The investigation was conducted by the Pemberton Township Police Department. The lead investigator is Pemberton Township Police Lt. Brian Smith.
All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.