Man Sentenced In Overdose Death Of Berkeley Resident: Prosecutor

BERKELEY, NJ — A Trenton man will spend several years in New Jersey State Prison for dealing fentanyl that led to a Berkeley man's overdose death, officials said.

Ryan Thompson, 35, was sentenced to seven years in prison for manslaughter in connection with the death of a 55-year-old Berkeley man on Sept. 29, 2023, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said. Thompson pleaded guilty on March 4.

The sentence is subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act, meaning Thompson will have to serve at least 85 percent of his sentence before being considered for parole eligibility, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

On Sept. 29, 2023, Berkeley police responded to a Torrey Pines Drive home for a report of an unresponsive man, Billhimer said.

But when they arrived, the man was already dead, apparently of a drug overdose, Billhimer said.
Investigation found that Thompson and his co-defendants, Michael Wormann, 38, of Toms River, and Tina Martinez, 61, of Trenton, gave fentanyl to the Berkeley man the day prior to his death, Billhimer said.

On Sept. 30, Wormann was charged with distribution of fentanyl, possession of less than one-half ounce of fentanyl with intent to distribute and possession of fentanyl, Billhimer said. He was taken into custody and then released on a summons pending a future court appearance.

Martinez was charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl on Oct. 17, Billhimer said. She was taken to New Jersey State Police Headquarters in Trenton and released on a summons pending a future court appearance.

Thompson was also charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl on Oct. 20 and taken to Ocean County Jail where he was lodged pending a detention hearing, Billhimer said.

Further investigation and toxicology analysis found that the Berkeley man had fentanyl in his system, which the Ocean County Medical Examiner's Office determined to be the cause of his death, Billhimer said.

Subsequently, the three were additionally charged with strict liability drug induced death on Nov. 14.

Wormann and Martinez both pleaded guilty to distribution of fentanyl on March 18, Billhimer said. The state is recommending they be sentenced to 364 days in Ocean County Jail as a condition of probation. Their sentencing is set for June 7.