A 57-year-old man from Burlington County has been indicted by a grand jury in connection to a 2019 drug-induced death in Ocean County.

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Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer says William Anderson of Browns Mills is facing strict liability drug induced death, distribution of cocaine, distribution of fentanyl, along with various possession-related and conspiracy to distribute-related charges.

According to authorities, on February 28, 2019, officers from the Toms River Police Department were called to the Pelican Inn for a report of an unresponsive male. There, cops found a 29-year-old man apparently suffering from a drug overdose. He was taken to a local hospital where he died on March 3rd of that year.

Pelican Inn in Toms River NJ - Photo: Google Maps
Pelican Inn in Toms River NJ - Photo: Google Maps
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Billhimer's office says,

Further investigation...determined that Anderson had supplied heroin and cocaine to a third party on February 27, 2019, which was ultimately supplied to the victim. 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.

Anderson was charged on August 20, 2021. He was arrested three days later and then released as a consequence of New Jersey bail reform.

The public is reminded that charges are accusations and all persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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