HANOVER TOWNSHIP, NJ (Morris County) – A Morris Plains Borough man has been sentenced in connection with the fatal drug overdose death of a man who died on Feb. 16, 2023 in Hanover Township, according to Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll.
Anthony Dello-Russo, 28, of Morris Plains Borough was sentenced on Friday, July 26 to an aggregate sentence of seven years in New Jersey State Prison, five of which will be subject to the No Early Release Act. He also consented to forfeit $51,788 in U.S. currency as part of this resolution, Carroll said.
Dello-Russo pled guilty on June 5 to first-degree strict liability for drug induced death and second-degree possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, Carroll said.
On Feb. 16, 2023, police responded to a residence located in the Whippany section of Hanover Township for a report of an unconscious male. The male victim, later identified as T.H., 28, was pronounced deceased on scene, Carroll said.
The Morris County Medical Examiner’s Office certified the cause of T.H.’s death as combined toxicity of cocaine, fentanyl, and acetyl fentanyl, Carroll said.
Based on subsequent investigation, it was determined that Dello-Russo distributed controlled dangerous substances to T.H. on Feb. 15, 2023, in Morris Plains Borough, and that T.H.’s death resulted from his ingestion of the substances distributed by Dello-Russo, Carroll said.
Additionally, it was determined that on Dec. 8, 2023, Dello-Russo possessed more than one-half ounce of cocaine at his residence with the intent to distribute, Carroll said.
Dello-Russo was initially arrested on Dec. 8, 2023, and charged with second-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with the intent to distribute and related offenses. He was subsequently charged on Dec. 26, 2023 with first-degree strict liability for drug-inducted death and related offenses, Carroll said.
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.
“Morris County law enforcement agencies are committed to investigating and enforcing state law, and when appropriate, holding distributors of these deadly narcotics accountable. Drug dealers who operate in Morris County, take note – you are taking a huge risk with every dose of heroin/fentanyl you sell,” Carroll said.
