Overdose Death Leads To Charges Against Atlantic Co. Woman Who Sold Drugs: Cops

PLEASANTVILLE, NJ — A Pleasantville woman faces several drug-related charges in connection with the overdose death of a 44-year-old South Toms River man, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said.

Michele Baker, 39, is charged with strict liability drug induced death in connection with the April 19, 2022 death, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said. Baker is also charged with distribution of heroin/fentanyl, possession of heroin/fentanyl with intent to distribute and possession of heroin/fentanyl, Billhimer said.

Officers responded to a house on South Main Street in South Toms River in April, where the victim was found already dead from a drug overdose, Billhimer said.

The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force and South Toms River Police Department Detective Bureau determined that Baker had sold the victim heroin and fentanyl the day before his death, Billhimer said. A toxicology analysis confirmed that heroin and fentanyl in the man's system were the cause of death, Billhimer said.

A warrant was issued for Baker's arrest on June 21, Billhimer said. She was arrested in Howell on an unrelated shoplifting charge on June 26 and was taken to Monmouth County Jail, Billhimer said. She was taken to Ocean County Jail on July 4 where she remains pending a detention hearing, he said.

Billhimer thanked the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, South Toms River Police Department, South Toms River Police Department Detective Bureau, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, Pleasantville Police Department, Howell Township Police Department and Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office, for their collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation.