PEQUANNOCK TOWNSHIP, NJ (Morris County) – A former Bergen County man has been charged in connection with the fatal overdose death of a woman who died on Nov. 15, 2021, according to Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll.
On Monday, Nov. 15, 2021, police responded to a 911 call regarding an unresponsive female at a residence in Pequannock Township. The female victim, later identified as A.C., was pronounced dead at the scene, Carroll said.
The Morris County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the cause of A.C.’s death as fentanyl, amphetamine, carisoprodol and clonazepam Intoxication, Carroll said.
Based on subsequent investigation, it is alleged that David Pezak, 34, formerly of Saddle Brook conspired with an unnamed individual to distribute narcotics to A.C. on Nov. 15, 2021 in Paterson. It is further alleged that A.C.’s death resulted from her ingestion of the substance she obtained through her communications with Pezak, Carroll said.
Pezak has been charged with first-degree strict liability for drug-induced death, third-degree conspiracy to distribute, third-degree distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, third-degree possession of a CDS, and possession of CDS paraphernalia.
The strict liability for drug-induced death statute provides that any person who manufactures, distributes or dispenses any 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 twenty years in New Jersey State Prison and is subject to the eighty-five percent parole ineligibility requirements of the No Early Release Act, Carroll said.
In accordance with the Criminal Justice Reform Act, Pezak is detained at the Morris County Correctional Facility pending future court appearances, Carroll said.
“Each day we are losing entirely too many members of our community to drug overdoses. Together with the Morris County Sheriff’s Office and Chiefs of Police Association, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office are committed to investigating and enforcing applicable state law, which calls for prosecuting distributors whose sales lead to drug-related deaths, as first-degree offenders. Distributors who prey upon the addicted will be held responsible. It is essential that the community is aware of the law and support our resolve to enforce it in order to protect the citizens of Morris County and beyond,” Carroll said.
Anyone with information related to this investigation, is encouraged to call the Major Crimes Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at 973-285-6200.
