Trenton Man Charged With Selling Heroin That Killed Howell Man: Authorities

FREEHOLD, NJ— A Trenton man has been charged with selling the heroin that led to the overdose death of a Howell Township man, authorities announced.

Christopher McQueen, 24, of Tyler Street in Trenton has been charged with selling the heroin-fentanyl mix that led to the death of Todd Cogar, 21, of Howell, who died March 8, the Monmouth County Prosecutor's office and Howell police said.

McQueen is charged with first-degree strict liability for a drug-induced death, third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance and third-degree unlawful distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, said Charles Webster, spokesman for the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office.

Cogar was found unresponsive by family members during the early morning hours of March 8, and the Howell police officers who responded found some of the heroin and fentanyl mixture that led to his overdose, authorities said. Lifesaving efforts, including the administration Narcan, failed to revive Cogar, and he was pronounced dead at 9:30 a.m. that day, Webster said.

Howell officers determined that McQueen had sold the lethal substance to Cogar during the evening of March 7, 2017, at a motel on Route 1 in Lawrence Township, Webster said. The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office and the FBI assisted in the investigation, Webster said.

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"Howell officers worked extensively on this investigation, understanding the importance of getting to the source of the epidemic," Howell Police Chief Andrew Kudrick said. "From the onset, our detectives worked this case as if it was a homicide."

"While some will claim Mr. Cogar's actions contributed to his death, we disagree," Kudrick said. "He had an addiction. He didn't intend to die. McQueen was responsible for that when he sold him a lethal dose of fentanyl-laced heroin."

Kudrick said the arrest of McQueen is "another example of how serious the Howell Police and our community partners are in addressing the heroin epidemic."

"From being the first police department in the state to deploy crisis interventionists and recovery coaches to the scene of an overdose, to educating our community, to arresting those responsible for the deaths of our loved ones, we continue to be at the forefront of enforcement, education and recovery efforts of the heroin epidemic," Kudrick said.

“The opioid epidemic remains one of the biggest challenges facing our communities," Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni said. "Often, the drug addict is not even aware that he has been sold fentanyl, a substance that is 50 times more potent than heroin. It is imperative that we do everything possible to help those who have fallen prey to the lure of highly addictive opiates such as heroin. I will continue to bring the fight to all who profit from this crisis.”

First-degree strict liability for a drug-induced death carries a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and the No Early Release Act applies. The two third-degree charges carry sentences of 5 to 10 years in prison, Webster said.

McQueen is being held at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution pending his first appearance.

"Although strict liability cases are very complex, we are very confident the case we presented to the prosecutor's office is solid," Kudrick said. "We are determined to see this case through to a successful resolution."

"I extend my condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Cogar. Hopefully this brings them some solace in their grief. I also extend my gratitude to my officers under the command of Captain Rizzo for their tenacity and dedication to this investigation as well as the agencies that assisted. We are 'Committed to Community,' " Kudrick said.

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