48°
Freddie W. Smith, 44, of Vineland, pleaded guilty in Atlantic County Superior Court to one count of first-degree strict liability for causing a drug-induced death, according to the county prosecutor's office. On Monday, Nov 28, Smith admitted he sold drugs containing fentanyl which killed an 18-year-old local man, the prosecutor said.
The Buena Vista Criminal Investigation Office of the New Jersey State Police led the investigation which revealed the victim had gone to a Wawa in Vineland at some point during the evening of March 11 into March 12, 2020. In the parking lot, Smith sold the drugs containing fentanyl to the teen, who was found dead in the early morning hours on a couch in his family home, the prosecutor said.
Toxicology testing of the decedent’s blood determined he died from fentanyl and cocaine.
A warranted search was made at Smith’s home where law enforcement recovered drug packaging paraphernalia, fentanyl, and cocaine, the prosecutor said.
Smith is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 9, 2023.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Vineland and receive free news updates.
