Lacey Man Admits To Dealing Fentanyl That Led To Woman's Overdose

LACEY, NJ — A Lacey man has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in connection with the overdose death of a Toms River woman, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said.

Jehmar Barrett, 36, sold the unnamed 35-year-old woman heroin and cocaine on Nov. 23, 2020, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

The next day, the woman was found dead of an overdose in her Alabama Avenue home, Billhimer said. Toms River police had responded to a report of an unresponsive female, but she was already dead when officers arrived, Billhimer said.

Toxicology analysis revealed that she had fentanyl in her system, and that what was thought to be heroin was in fact fentanyl, Billhimer said.

The Ocean County Medical Examiner's Office ruled that fentanyl was the cause of the woman's death, Billhimer said.

Barrett was charged on April 29, 2021 and turned himself in to Toms River police the next day, Billhimer said. He was taken to Ocean County Jail and released due to bail reform.

At Barrett's sentencing on Aug. 18, the state will be seeking a term of seven years in New Jersey State Prison, subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act.