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William Jenkins, 28, pleaded guilty on Monday, July 15 to first-degree strict liability for causing a drug-induced death, third-degree distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, and fourth-degree unlawful possession of a prohibited weapon. The Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office announced his guilty plea in a news release on Tuesday, July 16.
Investigators said a 44-year-old man identified by the initials B.F. was found unresponsive with a syringe in his arm in a parked vehicle in Atlantic City on Wednesday, July 5, 2023. Police recovered nine wax folds from the vehicle which tested positive for fentanyl.
An autopsy ruled that B.F. overdosed and died from fentanyl intoxication. Investigators said Jenkins sold him the deadly drug mix.
An undercover detective bought fentanyl from Jenkins in Atlantic City on Thursday, July 13, 2023.
"During the undercover purchase, Jenkins provided the detective with a can of Narcan while bragging about the strength of the fentanyl he was selling," the prosecutor's office said.
Prosecutors said Jenkins admitted to the detective that he recently sold fentanyl to B.F. After the undercover drug deal was completed, Jenkins was arrested and investigators found a long straight-blade knife that resembled a dagger in his pants pocket.
Jenkins was expected to be sentenced to 11 years in state prison and he would have to serve more than nine years before being eligible for parole under the No Early Release Act. He would also have five years of intensive parole supervision upon his release.
Jenkins remained in the Atlantic County Justice Facility to await his sentencing, which is expected to happen in September.
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