Day: January 24, 2020

Former Carlisle Police Detective And FBI Task Force Officer Indicted

HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Special Agent in Charge Michael Harpster of the FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Guido Modano of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General’s New York Field Office announced that Christopher Collare, age 52, currently a resident of Blythewood, South Carolina, was indicted by a federal grand jury for bribery, drug distribution, fraud, and making false statements.

The indictment alleges that Collare, who was a veteran detective for the Carlisle Police Department, a task force officer with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and a member of the Cumberland County Drug Task Force, used his official position to obtain sex from two women in exchange for agreeing to take actions in prosecutions.  In 2015, Collare allegedly agreed to accept sex or money in exchange for not appearing at an evidentiary hearing so that a criminal charge would be dismissed.  In 2018, Collare allegedly agreed to accept sexual favors in exchange for taking steps to help reduce a potential sentence.

The indictment also alleges that Collare distributed heroin in 2016, and that he defrauded the Borough of Carlisle and the Cumberland County Drug Task Force between 2011 and 2018 by providing confidential informants with drugs and allowing informants to retain drugs that they had obtained during controlled buys.

The indictment further alleges that Collare lied on a federal form he completed during the process of becoming an FBI task force officer, and that he made multiple false statements in an interview with federal agents in May 2018.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler was designated United States Attorney for this case because United States Attorney David J. Freed recused himself.  Mr. Freed was previously the District Attorney for Cumberland County and worked with Collare.

The case was investigated by the FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carlo D. Marchioli and Phillip J. Caraballo and Trial Attorney James I. Pearce of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section are prosecuting the case.

Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

The maximum penalty under federal law ranges from 10 years to 20 years on the bribery-related counts, 20 years on the drug distribution count, 20 years on each of the fraud-related counts, and 5 years on each of the false statement counts.  There is also a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant\’s educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.  Learn more about the history of our agency at

www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years

.

NJ Residents Named to Coastal Carolina University Dean\’s List

CONWAY, SC (01/22/2020)– More than 2,400 Coastal Carolina University students were named to the Dean\’s List for the Fall 2019 semester. That\’s nearly 20 percent of the student body with a grade point average between 3.5-3.99 for the spring semester.

An additional 802 students were named to the President\’s List for achieving a 4.0 GPA during the spring semester.

Among the students earning recognition on the Dean\’s List:

Lisa Baker a Hospitality Resort and Tourism Management Pre-Major major from Sicklerville, NJ (08081).

Ryan Barley a Marketing Pre-Major major from Mt. Laurel, NJ (08054).

Sarah Bartholomew a English major from Medford, NJ (08055).

Madison Chaparro a Communication major from Belmar, NJ (07719).

Gianna Conway a Computer Science-Preengineering major from Sicklerville, NJ (08081).

Hailey Cornell a Music major from Hammonton, NJ (08037).

Julia Dipietro a Finance major from Ocean City, NJ (08226).

Ryan Fleagle a Management major from Sicklerville, NJ (08081).

Sean Forte a English major from Wrightstown, NJ (08562).

Kyle Franks a Management major from Eastampton, NJ (08060).

Catherine Hans a Special Education Multi-Categorical Premajor major from Clarksboro, NJ (08020).

Brianna Heller a Hospitality Resort and Tourism Management Pre-Major major from Vincentown, NJ (08088).

Cassie Hesson a Finance Pre-Major major from Burlington, NJ (08016).

Shannon Hossler a Communication major from Cinnaminson, NJ (08077).

Naomi Kellmyer a Hospitality Resort and Tourism Management Pre-Major major from Bridgeton, NJ (08302).

Stephen Kirkwood a Biology major from Mount Laurel, NJ (08054).

Clorissa Kutney a Accounting Pre-Major major from Pennsville, NJ (08070).

Morgan Labbree a Communication major from Woodbury, NJ (08096).

Meredith LaLumia a Marine Science major from Moorestown, NJ (08057).

Ilyssa Liberto a Biology major from Sewell, NJ (08080).

Jake Maxwell a Special Education Multi-Categorical Premajor major from Estell Manor, NJ (08319).

Haley Molloy a Psychology major from Mount Laurel, NJ (08054).

James Moore a Management Pre-Major major from Magnolia, NJ (08049).

Carter Nelson a Art History major from Monroeville, NJ (08343).

Jensen Newsome a Elementary Education major from Pennsville, NJ (08070).

Amanda O\’Donnell a Public Health major from Somers Point, NJ (08244).

Courtney Olson a Exercise and Sport Science major from Galloway, NJ (08205).

Caitlyn Porter a Hospitality Resort and Tourism Management major from Berlin, NJ (08009).

Bianca Ramsey a Exercise and Sport Science major from Woolwich Township, NJ (08085).

Jada Robinson a Management Pre-Major major from Medford, NJ (08055).

Kaitlyn Sanderson a Biology major from Sicklerville, NJ (08081).

Jack Sandone a Political Science major from Glendora, NJ (08029).

Hannah Silverman a Exercise and Sport Science major from Erial, NJ (08081).

Mikayla Smith a Communication major from Moorestown, NJ (08057).

Juliana Stahl a Hospitality Resort and Tourism Management Pre-Major major from Bordentown, NJ (08505).

Erica Stratten a Exercise and Sport Science major from Ocean View, NJ (08230).

Mia Sudell a Management Pre-Major major from Woolwich, NJ (08085).

Alyssa Woolverton a Biology major from Columbus, NJ (08022).

Coastal Carolina University is a dynamic, public comprehensive liberal arts institution located in Conway, just minutes from the resort area of Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Coastal Carolina University offers baccalaureate degrees in 73 major fields of study. Among CCU\’s 25 graduate-level programs are 21 master\’s degrees, two educational specialist degrees, and the doctorates in education and marine science: coastal and marine systems science. The most popular undergraduate majors are marine science, management, exercise and sport science, communication and psychology. CCU boasts a growing array of internship, research and international opportunities for students, as well as numerous online programs through Coastal Online.

More than 10,600 students from across the country and around the world interact with a world-class faculty, and enjoy a nationally competitive NCAA I athletic program, an inspiring cultural calendar, and a tradition of community interaction that is fueled by more than 160 student clubs and organizations.

Coastal Carolina University was founded in 1954 as Coastal Carolina Junior College and became an independent state university in 1993.

For more information, visit

coastal.edu

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Guest Opinion: American Dream Mall Fail to Pay Back Taxpayers

submitted by NJ Sierra Club

It has been 3 months since the grand opening of the American Dream Mall and towns are still waiting to be paid. In East Rutherford, where American Dream is located, officials said the mall owes $1 million in payments for last year, and an anticipated $2 million in payments in 2020 that are outstanding. For nearby Carlstadt and Secaucus, the missing payments amount to $750,000 and $100,000, respectively.

“The cost to build the American Dream mall has reached a historical price tag for both our wallets and the environment’s.  The mega mall is too costly to build and too costly to visit. From riding its thrilling rides to food costs to parking, a daily visit is very expensive. New Jersey taxpayers had to pay over $1billion to subsidize this monstrosity of a mall and now its customers are being charged even more to enjoy it. What’s even worse is that the mall still owes taxpayers millions of dollars for their mega mall. The mall has taken all of this public money without paying them back while the public still can’t afford to go there,”

said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.

It has taken 17 years to build and billions of dollars from subsidies, tax breaks, and tax incremental financing. The price tag for the mall has reached historical lengths and unfortunately the cost to its customers are seeing high price tags too. The American Dream/Xanadu mega-mall is the largest public subsidized development project in state history.  The project received $350 million in direct state subsidies from EDA plus another $800 million for financing including $100 million for road improvements, bringing it up to $1.5 billion project.

“The American Scheme mega-mall has been the largest corporate subsidy in the state’s history. What’s even worse is that they have failed to pay back East Rutherford and other cities who are proposing to use taxpayer money for school improvements,”

said Tittel.

“If paying $24 for parking wasn’t enough, a daily price to ride American Dream rides will be $80 soon. Combined, that’s more than a season pass at Six Flags and just $5 shy for a daily pass to Disney World. The people who work at the American Dream Mall making $11/hr. cannot afford to go there. To spend a full day at the park could take a full week’s wages.”

The mall is an estimated 3 million square feet with more than half of that allotted to entertainment and the other 45% of the space will be for retail. There are 11,000 parking spaces and they share 22,000 with MetLife stadium on non-event days.

“There is no real traffic program for the bus or train services that are reliable, instead the mall will be car dependent. The project, which comprises 7.1 million square feet of office and commercial space, in order to be successful, it will need to generate around 120,000 to 150,000 cars a day, gridlocking Bergen County with traffic. Everyday traffic will be like game day at Giants Stadium,”

said  Tittel.

“The Murphy Administration have been trying to fix traffic problems by proposing a rail plan that will cost $1-$2 billion while NJ Transit is crumbling. That money could have been used to finish the Bergen-Hudson Rail, or important improvements for NJ Transit. Why should we be paying for a rail to a private male. They created the problem, why should NJ taxpayers pay to fix it?”

The American Dream/Xanadu mall sits partly on wetlands in an environmentally sensitive area prone to flooding. Meadowlands resources are important for flood control, fisheries, and migratory birds.

“We have been fighting this mega mall for over 20 years because it is too large, it’s in an environmentally sensitive area, and will cause a lot of pollution and traffic. The American Dream/Xanadu site flooded during Hurricane Sandy. The mall’s water park is built on top of wetlands, which means increasingly vulnerable to the effects of sea level rise and storm surges. Studies have shown the entire area will end up under 3 feet of water. The EPA and Fish & Wildlife under President George W. Bush opposed the project because of environmental impacts on clean air and water, and wildlife,”

said Tittel.

“Overdeveloping the Meadowlands will not only put more people in danger of flooding, but will actually impact wetlands and the fragile ecosystems.”

Governor Murphy believes this project has provided New Jersey residents with extraordinary opportunities for good-paying construction and building jobs, as well as opportunities for New Jersey’s business owners.

“The billions of dollars for American Dream could’ve been used for building schools and colleges, taking lead out of our drinking water, or cleaning up our toxic sites. Instead, this private enterprise is a one- two punch to our wallets, the billions it took to build it and the high price tag to enjoy its amenities. The American Dream mall shows everything that is wrong about New Jersey.  We don’t know what will be worse, it the American Dream succeeds, we will see all of the pollution from the traffic coming to the mall plus possible gridlock it would cause to commuters. If it would fail, it wastes billions of taxpayer dollars,”

said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.

Ocean County Attorney George Gilmore Sentenced, Failed to Pay Taxes/Lied on Loan App

TRENTON, N.J. – George Gilmore, a partner at an Ocean County law firm, was sentenced today to one year and one day in prison for his conviction on two counts of failing to pay over payroll taxes withheld from employees to the IRS and one count of making false statements on a bank loan application submitted to Ocean First Bank N.A., First Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

On April 17, 2019, Gilmore, 70, of Toms River, New Jersey, was acquitted of two counts of filing false tax returns for calendar years 2013 and 2014; the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict on one count of income tax evasion for calendar years 2013, 2014, and 2015. The verdicts were returned following a trial that began April 1, 2019, before U.S. District Judge Anne E. Thompson, who imposed the sentence today in Trenton federal court.

According to documents filed in this case and the evidence at trial:

Gilmore worked as an equity partner and shareholder at Gilmore & Monahan P.A., a law firm in Toms River, where he exercised primary control over the firm’s financial affairs. Because he exercised significant control over the law firm’s financial affairs, Gilmore was responsible for withholding payroll taxes from the gross salary and wages of the law firm’s employees to cover individual income, Social Security and Medicare tax obligations. For the tax quarters ending March 31, 2016, and June 30, 2016, the law firm withheld tax payments from its employees’ checks, but Gilmore failed to pay over in full the payroll taxes due to the IRS.

Gilmore also submitted a loan application to Ocean First Bank containing false statements. On Nov. 21, 2014, Gilmore reviewed, signed, and submitted to Ocean First Bank a Uniform Residential Loan Application (URLA) to obtain refinancing of a mortgage loan for $1.5 million with a “cash out” provision that provided Gilmore would obtain cash from the loan. On Jan. 22, 2015, Gilmore submitted another URLA updating the initial application. Gilmore failed to disclose his outstanding 2013 tax liabilities and personal loans that he had obtained from others on the URLAs. Gilmore received $572,000 from the cash out portion of the loan.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Thompson sentenced Gilmore to three years of supervised release.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge John R. Tafur, special agents with U.S. Attorney’s Office under the direction of Supervisory Special Agent Thomas Mahoney, and special agents of the FBI Red Bank Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.

The government is represented by Deputy U.S. Attorney Matthew J. Skahill; Assistant U.S. Attorney Jihee G. Suh of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Special Prosecutions Division; and Trial Attorney Thomas F. Koelbl of the U.S. Department of Justice – Tax Division.

Defense counsel: Kevin H. Marino Esq., Chatham, New Jersey

TONIGHT : Route 42 northbound Exit 1B ramp to I-295 northbound to be closed and detoured

Closures necessary for guiderail repairs and drainage inspection

(Trenton)

– New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials today announced the overnight closure and detour of Route 42 northbound Exit 1B to I-295 northbound tonight for construction barrier repairs and a drainage culvert inspection.

Beginning at 9 p.m. tonight, Friday, January 24 until 8 a.m. tomorrow, Saturday, January 25, NJDOT contractor, Conti Enterprises, Inc., is scheduled to close and detour Route 42 northbound Exit 1B to I-295 northbound to allow crews to repair construction barrier and inspect a drainage culvert.  The following signed detour will be in place overnight:

Route 42 northbound Exit 1B ramp to I-295 northbound detour:

Motorists traveling on Route 42 northbound will be directed to continue onto I-76 westbound

Take I-76 westbound to Exit 2/I-676 northbound

Take I-676 northbound to Exit 1/Collings Road

Turn right onto Collings Road

Turn left onto I-676 southbound which becomes I-76 eastbound

Take I-76 eastbound to Exit 1B/I-295 northbound

The work is part of the $900 million Direct Connection project that will provide a seamless route for I-295 motorists traveling through the interchange of I-295, I-76, and Route 42. The Direct Connection project has been divided into four separate construction contracts, with completion of the fourth and final contract expected in the fall of 2024. NJDOT\’s project website provides

construction activity schedules and updates

.

Variable message signs are being utilized throughout the project limits to provide advance notification to motorists of traffic pattern changes associated with Direct Connection.

The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors. Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT\’s traffic information website

www.511nj.org

for real-time travel information and for NJDOT news follow us on Twitter

@NJDOT_info

or on the

NJDOT Facebook page

.

Maple Shade Township PD Alert: Coastal Flood Advisory until 12:00PM Saturday

* WHAT…Up to one foot of inundation above ground level expected in low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways.

* WHERE…Cumberland, Atlantic, Cape May, Atlantic Coastal Cape May, Coastal Atlantic and Southeastern Burlington.

* WHEN…From 6 AM to noon EST Saturday.

* IMPACTS…In Atlantic County, minor roadway flooding is possible in Atlantic City, Absecon, Ventnor, and nearby communities. In Cape May County, minor roadway flooding is possible in Wildwood, Cape May, Avalon, and other locations along the shore and the Delaware Bay shoreline. In Cumberland County, minor roadway flooding is possible in Fortescue, Money Island, Gandys Beach and other locations near the Delaware Bay shoreline. Minor roadway flooding is possible on the barrier islands and along the back bays of Ocean County, and in tidal areas of southeastern Burlington County.

* AFFECTED AREAS: ATLANTIC … CAPE MAY … ATLANTIC CO ASTAL CAPE MAY … CUMBERLAND … COASTAL ATLANTIC … SOUTHEASTERN BURLINGTON

Instructions:

A Coastal Flood Advisory means that minor tidal flooding is expected. Minor tidal flooding often results in some road closures. Usually, the most vulnerable roadways will flood. Do not leave your vehicle at a location that is prone to tidal flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flood waters. The water may be deeper than you think it is. You will be putting yourself in danger and your vehicle may be damaged, leading to costly repairs. Visit the Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service at

water.weather.gov/ahps

for additional water level and flood impact information for your local tide gauge.

Address/Location

Maple Shade Township Police Department

200 N Stiles Ave

Maple Shade Township, NJ 08052

Contact

Emergency: 9-1-1

Non-emergencies: 856-234-8300

$2.2 Million in Teacher in the Workplace Grants to Connect Pa. Schools/Local Employers

HARRISBURG, PA –Governor Tom Wolf today announced $2.2 million in

Teacher in the Workplace

grants have been awarded to 92 local education agencies (LEA) to enable teachers to visit local employers and learn the skills and industry trends to enhance their classroom instruction, student learning, and career readiness. Each LEA will receive a $25,000 Targeted Grant through the Department of Education (PDE).

“It’s critical that we connect our schools to local businesses so we can prepare students with the skills they need for in-demand jobs,” said Governor Wolf. “By connecting directly with employers, teachers can learn first-hand about the skills and industry trends that will enhance their classroom instruction, student learning, and career readiness.”

Building on the success of the program, the governor proposed to double Teacher in the Workforce grant funding to $5 million, which he signed into law in June. Grants are available through PDE and the Department of Labor and Industry (L&I). The L&I grants will be announced soon.

“Local business leaders know what skills are needed for their employees to be successful in the workplace, so they can provide valuable insight to school administrators and teachers,” said Secretary of Education Pedro A. Rivera. “The Teacher in the Workplace program enables educators to participate in real-world, employer-based experiences that they can use to inform classroom instruction and prepare students for career, college and community success.”

Award recipients include:

Abington SD

Antonia Pantoja Community Charter School

Armstrong SD

ASPIRA Bilingual Cyber Charter School

Avonworth SD

Beaver Area SD

Blackhawk SD

Boyertown Area SD

Bradford Area SD

Bucks County IU 22

Cambria Heights SD

Catasauqua Area SD

Centennial SD

Central Cambria SD

Chester Community CS

Cocalico SD

Columbia Borough SD

Conewago Valley SD

Conneaut SD

Crawford Central SD

Crestwood SD

Daniel Boone Area SD

Deer Lakes SD

Elizabethtown Area SD

Ephrata Area SD

Erie City SD

Eugenio Maria De Hostos CS

Fairview SD

Fell CS

Forest Area SD

Franklin Regional SD

Freedom Area SD

Freeport Area SD

Governor Mifflin SD

Greater Johnstown SD

Greater Nanticoke Area SD

Hanover Area SD

Harbor Creek SD

Hempfield Area SD

Hollidaysburg Area SD

Hopewell Area SD

Intermediate Unit 1

John B Stetson Charter School

Johnsonburg Area SD

Juniata County SD

Lancaster SD

Laurel Highlands SD

Laurel SD

Mohawk Area SD

Montrose Area SD

Moshannon Valley

New Castle Area SD

North Clarion County SD

Northeastern York SD

Northern Lehigh SD

Northwest Area SD

Olney Charter High School

Oswayo Valley SD

Otto-Eldred SD

Palisades SD

Penn Cambria SD

Penncrest SD

Perseus House CS of Excellence

Pittston Area SD

Propel CS-Homestead

Purchase Line SD

Redbank Valley SD

Ridgway Area SD

Ringgold SD

Riverside Beaver County SD

Riverview IU 6

Riverview SD

Saint Marys Area SD

Salisbury Township SD

Schuylkill IU 29

Seneca Valley SD

Sharon City SD

Southern Huntingdon County SD

Spring Cove SD

Trinity Area SD

Tunkhannock Area SD

Twin Valley SD

Union City Area SD

Union SD

United SD

Valley Grove SD

Wallenpaupack Area SD

Waynesboro Area SD

West Middlesex Area SD

West Mifflin Area SD

Western Beaver County SD

Westmoreland IU 7

The Teacher in the Workforce grants from PDE are funded through federal money made available through Title II, Part A, of the Every Student Succeeds Act and from L&I through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act. Eligible applicants include local education entities, businesses and chambers of commerce, labor organizations, postsecondary institutions, community-based organizations, public libraries, trade associations, and economic development entities.

Mount Holly Fire & Ice Festival Saturday

Fire & Ice Festival

MOUNT HOLLY,NJ–Once again on Saturday January 25, 2020 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM downtown Mount Holly will be the place to warm your tummy, see lots of artistic eye candy and hear

Suze & Watson

play everything from show tunes to Springsteen while having plenty of free family friendly fun.

The Ice Carving Festival takes place outdoors, in the Business District on High Street and in the Mill Race Village on White Street, where visitors can watch as professional ice carvers transform 300 pound blocks of ice into beautiful crystalline works of art.

2019 Participating Ice Carvers

Kirk Clemens

Teri Dickerson

Erik Cantine

Clyde Yoder

Dave Johnston

Andrew Lo Furno

Eric Lo Furno

Todd Dedman

Rob Lo Furno (ice coordinator)

CHECK OUT THE 2017 FESTIVAL ON PHL17!

On this date Mount Holly will play host to over a dozen professional ice carvers from up and down the east coast, an equal number of professional chili chefs plus a wide variety of interesting entertainment for young, old and everyone in between.   The ice carvers will transform 300 pound blocks of ice into beautiful crystalline works of art, throughout town, beginning at 10:00 and continuing until 4:00 p.m.  Plan to spend the day in Mount Holly on Saturday, January 25, 2020 for this free family friendly fun event with lots of photo ops so be sure post your photos on social media with the hashtag

#FandINJ.

Roseanna D. Pulaski of Sicklerville, formerly of Runnemede

Roseanna D. Pulaski (nee Sparano), on January 21, 2020, of Sicklerville, formerly of Runnemede. Age 77.

Beloved wife of the late Robert L. Pulaski. Devoted mother of Nicholas Pulaski, Ginamarie Wolfe (William), Roseanne Schuenemann (Carl) and Jennifer Pulaski-Duca. Loving grandmother of Alex (Kayla), Gianna, Michael and Brandon. Dear sister of the late Sonny Sparano. Sister-in-law of Florence Sparano. Aunt of Maria, Tommy and Andrea and their families.

Roseanna was a career hairdresser for 50 years.

There will be a viewing from 6 to 8pm Sunday eve and 9 to 10am Monday morning at GARDNER FUNERAL HOME, RUNNEMEDE.

Funeral Mass 11am Monday at Holy Child Parish, St. Maria Goretti RC Church, Runnemede.

Interment New St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bellmawr.

Family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Roseanna’s memory to the Animal Orphanage, 419 Cooper Rd., Voorhees, NJ 08043.

Camden City Drug Dealer Indicted for Causing Death of Customer

Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced that a Camden drug dealer has been indicted for causing the death of a customer to whom he sold fentanyl-laced cocaine last year.

Marquese Smith, 22, of Baird Boulevard, was indicted on one count of Strict Liability for Drug-Induced Death (First Degree). The indictment was returned January 14 and signed by Prosecutor Coffina. An arraignment will be scheduled soon in Superior Court.

The investigation began in June 2019 when officers from the Maple Shade Police Department responded to the Ryan Run West Apartment Complex and discovered the body of 33-year-old Kristi Ventura, who had fatally overdosed.

The Burlington County Medical Examiner’s Office concluded the cause of death was cocaine and fentanyl toxicity.

The investigation determined that the drugs used by the victim had been purchased from Smith, who has been lodged in the Burlington County Jail in Mount Holly since his arrest in October.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Jeremy Lackey. The investigation was conducted by the Maple Shade Police Department and the BCPO Gang, Gun and Narcotics Task Force.

This is the second drug-induced death indictment the BCPO has announced this week.

Terrance D. Walker, 37, of Pemberton Township, was indicted January 9 on charges of Strict Liability for Drug-Induced Death (First Degree), Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (Third Degree), two counts of Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (Third Degree) and two counts of Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with Intent to Distribute (Third Degree).

Walker was charged in October with causing the death of a 21-year-old Pemberton Township woman by supplying the fentanyl-laced heroin that led to her fatal overdose in May 2019.

An indictment is an accusation. Defendants are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty.