CLINTON TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Hunterdon County) — A Passaic County woman has been charged with strict liability for a drug-induced death following a fatal overdose in Annandale earlier this year, authorities announced.
Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renée M. Robeson and Clinton Township Police Chief Thomas DeRosa said Shaneshea M. Cooper, 28, of Paterson, has been charged with first-degree strict liability for drug-induced death, along with third-degree conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and other related offenses.
The charges stem from a July 24 incident when Clinton Township police responded to a home in Annandale for an unconscious 21-year-old man. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Drug paraphernalia indicating fentanyl use was recovered, and the Hunterdon County Medical Examiner determined the cause of death was acute drug toxicity from fentanyl.
Investigators said Cooper distributed controlled dangerous substances to the victim in Paterson days before his death. He later returned to Annandale, where he ingested the substances that proved fatal.
On Oct. 1, Cooper was arrested by Clinton Township police officers and detectives from the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office. She was charged with first-degree strict liability for drug-induced death, and third-degree conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.
Prosecutors said first-degree charges may carry penalties of 10 to 20 years in prison and fines up to $200,000. Third-degree charges may carry penalties of three to five years in prison and fines up to $15,000.
Cooper is being held at the Warren County Jail pending a pretrial detention hearing scheduled for Oct. 7.
