Man Sentenced In Fatal Overdose Of Delran Man: Prosecutor

A Camden man has been sentenced to 12 years in state prison after being found guilty of homicide and other charges in connection with the fatal overdose of a Delran man he sold heroin to, Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced.

Jose LaPorte, 25, must serve more than 10 years of the term before becoming eligible for parole. Coffina, who handled the sentencing hearing personally, argued for a 15-year term, telling the Hon. Jeanne T. Covert, P.J.Cr., that it is necessary to “increase the cost of doing business for . . . drug dealers,” and “send a message that there will be severe consequences for carelessly dealing poison that is causing so many to die.”

The minimum sentence LaPorte could have received was 10 years. Covert indicated when handing down the 12-year term that her decision took into consideration that LaPorte did not have any previous criminal history.

LaPorte was previously convicted of first-degree strict liability for drug-induced death, third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance, two counts of third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute and third-degree distribution of a controlled dangerous substance. The jury in the case deliberated for three days before reaching a verdict.

Sung Han, 35, died in his home during the early morning hours of April 12 of last year. An investigation determined that he died of an overdose, and that LaPorte had sold him the heroin, police said. Burlington Township police arrested LaPorte on April 14 when they say they found him in possession of heroin. LaPorte has been detained in the Burlington County Jail since his arrest.

The case was investigated by the Burlington Township Police Department and the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office High-Tech Crimes Unit, with assistance from the Willingboro Township Police Department. The lead investigator was Burlington Township Police Detective Anthony Fontana.

Read more here: Man Indicted In Fatal Overdose Of Delran Man

The attached image of Jose LaPorte was provided by the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office