Man Charged With Jefferson Woman's Overdose Death: Prosecutor

JEFFERSON, NJ — A Mount Olive man was charged in the overdose death of a 35 year old Jefferson woman, Morris County Prosecutor Fredrick M. Knapp said on Friday.

Kayron Jackson, 37, was charged in the May 5 death of Jennifer Ward, 35. Jackson is accused of providing Ward with the fentanyl that killed her.

Ward was found dead on May 5 of a fentanyl overdose, Knapp said. During an investigation, police discovered that Ward had purchased fentanyl from Jackson the night before her death in Mount Olive. Knapp said that drug was responsible for her death.

Jackson, who also goes by the names "Alkama" and "Keys," was arrested on July 28 and charged with strict liability for drug induced death and distribution of fentanyl.

Jackson is currently being held in the Morris County Correctional Facility with an upcoming court date.

According to Knapp, this is what the strict liability for drug induced death charges entail:

This statute provides that any person who manufactures, distributes or dispenses any of a number of controlled dangerous substances is strictly liable for a death that results from the injection, inhalation, or ingestion of that substance. This is a first-degree crime, which is punishable by up to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison and is subject to the 85 percent parole ineligibility requirements of the No Early Release Act.

Mount Olive Police Department, Jefferson Township Police Department, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and Special Enforcement Unit, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office - Criminal Investigation Section, and the Morris County Medical Examiner’s Office all assisted in the investigation.

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