By: Yuritza Arroyo
Ocean County authorities announced that on June 19, Jehmar Barrett, 36, of Lacey Township, pled guilty to Manslaughter in connection with the death of a 35-year-old female in Toms River on November 24, 2020.
According to officials, at the time of his sentencing on August 18, the State will be seeking a term of seven years in New Jersey State Prison - subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act.
On November 24, 2020, Toms River Township Police Officers responded to a residence on Alabama Avenue for a report of an unresponsive female.
According to Police, upon arrival, 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 Department Detective Bureau determined that Barrett distributed heroin and cocaine to the victim on November 23, 2020.
Further investigation and toxicology analysis received by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed the presence of fentanyl in the victim’s system.
According to the authorities, 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.
Based upon 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.
On April 30, 2021, Barrett surrendered himself to Toms River Township Police Department Headquarters.
He was transported to the Ocean County Jail and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.