By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Monmouth County announced that a local man has been charged in connection with supplying a Howell resident with the drugs that killed him in 2023.
Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago stated that Paul R. Clites, 40, of Howell Township, was charged with one count of first-degree Strict Liability for a Drug-Induced Death, two counts of third-degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (Heroin and Methamphetamine), one count of third-degree Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (Heroin) and three counts of third-degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with Intent to Distribute.
According to MCPO officials, on Friday, December 22, 2023, at approximately 12:44 p.m., the Howell Township Police Department responded to a residence on Westbrook Road for an unresponsive adult male.
Upon arrival, officers discovered the victim deceased on the floor of his bedroom, Howell Township Police said.
Monmouth County authorities stated that a joint investigation by members of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the Howell Township Police Department revealed that Clites had been communicating with the victim during the period of time leading up to his death.
Howell Township Police stated that an extensive investigation also revealed that this communication culminated with Clites providing drugs to the victim that ultimately causing his death.
Clites remains in custody at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution (MCCI) after being extradited from Pennsylvania, pending proceedings to be held in Monmouth County Superior Court, according to MCPO officials.