Burlington County Woman Sentenced For Causing Death of Another

MOUNT HOLLY, NJ — A Burlington County woman was sentenced for causing the death of a woman to whom she sold fentanyl-laced heroin in 2017, the Burlington County prosecutor said.

Shannon McGuigan, 36, of Pemberton was sentenced to 12 years in New Jersey state prison and must serve 85 percent of the term before becoming eligible for parole, according to the prosecutor.

McGuigan was found guilty in March of strict liability for first-degree drug-induced death, third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance, third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute and third-degree distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, the prosecutor said.

In a separate case, McGuigan pleaded guilty one count of third-degree cocaine possession, and was sentenced to four years, according to the prosecutor. That sentence will run concurrently with the other sentence, according to the prosecutor.

“We hope that a significant sentence like this one will give people pause about selling dangerous drugs to others,” Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina said. “I commend the victim’s parents for their patience and staunch advocacy on behalf of their daughter throughout
this lengthy prosecution."

The investigation into McGuigan began the morning of May 30, 2017, after the 25-year-old Pemberton woman was discovered dead in her home, authorities said. An investigation showed this woman had bought drugs from McGuigan a short time before she fatally overdosed, authorities continued.

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