Toms River Man Charged With Fentanyl-Induced Death: Prosecutor

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A Toms River man has been charged with strict liability for a drug-induced death following a man's overdose on fentanyl in January, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced Wednesday.

Peter Keith Paul was arrested Tuesday and charged in the death of a 46-year-old man with strict liability for a drug-induced death; distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, fentanyl; possession with the intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, fentanyl; and possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

Toms River police were called to a residence on Jan. 26 for an unresponsive man, who was later pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation showed Paul sold pills to the victim on Jan. 25, the prosecutor said. A toxicology report later confirmed the fentanyl found in the victim’s system was the cause of his death, Billhimer said.

Paul was arrested on Feb. 15 when authorities searched his home and seized Xanax, suboxone, a pair of handguns and cash, the prosecutor announced. He was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance with the intent to distribute and two counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance that day.

Paul surrendered himself at the Toms River police department and was taken to the the Ocean County Jail, pending a detention hearing.

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