Jackson Man Charged With Strict Liability In Brick Man's Overdose Death

BRICK, NJ — An Ocean County man has been charged in connection with the drug-induced death of a Brick Township man under the state's strict liability law, Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph Coronato and Brick Township Police Chief James Riccio announced Thursday.

Timothy Baker, 26, of Jackson, has been charged with strict liability for a drug-induced death, possession of heroin, possession with the intent to distribute heroin, and distribution of heroin, in connection with the death of Thomas Palazzolo, 26, of Brick, said Al Della Fave, spokesman for the prosecutor's office.

The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office will continue to lead the way in developing strict liability/drug-induced death cases," Coronato said. "It’s critical during this opiate crisis we take strong punitive measures against dealers bringing death to those fighting addiction."

Palazzolo died Jan. 27. Della Fave said a 911 caller to Brick Township police at 9:47 a.m. that day said Palazzolo was unresponsive on his bedroom floor, Della Fave said. Brick police immediately attempted life-saving measures, but they were not successful, he said, and Palazzolo was pronounced dead at 10:07 a.m.

Officers on scene, observing signs of a drug overdose, immediately contacted the Major Crimes Unit of the prosecutor’s office and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Unit, under a directive previously issued by Coronato, Della Fave said.

The ensuing intensive investigation would ultimately lead back to Baker and link him to Palazzolo’s overdose death, he said. An autopsy by the Ocean County Medical Examiner confirmed Palazzolo’s death was drug-induced, he said.

The investigation was conducted by the Brick Township Police Department, the Ocean County Special Operation Group and the Ocean County Major Crime Unit, with assistance from Ocean County Sherriff’s Department CSI, Della Fave said.

Brick Detective Brian Farnkopf and Prosecutor's Office Detective John Carroll signed criminal complaints against Baker, who has been held at the Ocean County Jail since Jan. 31 on prior narcotics charges related to the case, Della Fave said.

Timothy Baker photo via Ocean County Prosecutor's Office