Millersville Man Sentenced To Prison For Teen's Overdose Death

MILLERSVILLE, MD — A 46-year-old Millersville man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for the death of 16-year-old Josiah Klaes. According to the Anne Arundel County State's Attorney's Office, Jason Patton Baker knowingly sold lethal drugs to Klaes, a minor. Baker was found guilty by a jury of one count of involuntary manslaughter, distribution of fentanyl, reckless endangerment and other lesser included charges on Sept. 11, 2019.

"Tragically, the opioid epidemic has stolen the life of another young person from our community. Baker, an adult, willfully sold illegal substances to a minor which led to his death and because of that, Baker will be in prison and unable to sell deadly drugs to people and hurt other families," said Anne Arundel County State's Attorney Anne Colt Leitess in a statement. "I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the family of the victim as they continue to heal and it's my hope that this sentence brings some peace to their family."

On Jan. 19, 2018, Anne Arundel County police officers responded to the 8200 block of Kramer Court in Glen Burnie to find Klaes in cardiac arrest. He was unresponsive and pronounced deceased on the scene. During the investigation, Anne Arundel County detectives spoke with the victim's brother who said Klaes had recently purchased marijuana from a man by the name of "Baker" who was later identified as Jason Patton Baker.

A friend of the victim advised police he had witnessed several drug transactions of heroin and marijuana between Baker and Klaes. An analysis of the victim's cellphone found numerous text messages between the victim and defendant that detailed drug transactions. During one of the text message exchanges, Baker asked Klaes his age and the victim replied with his weight and height and told him that he was 16 years old.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that Klaes died as a direct result of fentanyl intoxication. On Feb. 3, 2018, Baker was arrested for possession of a controlled dangerous substance. A search warrant was obtained and executed for Baker's phone and its number matched the contact in Klaes' phone. Additionally, further investigation found that Baker sold Klaes fentanyl instead of heroin, which led to the fatal overdose.