Drug Distributors Being Held Responsible In Ocean County For Drug Induced Deaths
EIGHT INDIVIDUALS CHARGED OVER THE PAST YEAR
MORE TO COME
Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and Toms River Police Chief Mitch Little today announced the arrest of Rufus A. Young, 41, of Freehold and Pedro A. Valentin Jr, 23, of Perth Amboy, NJ. A warrant for the arrest of Paul E. Robinson, 24, of Toms River, NJ has also been issued. The three men are charged in connection with the February 6, 2013 strict liability drug induced death of Jamie Caravella, 23, in Toms River.
Prosecutor Coronato stated, “I commend the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and all members of the cooperating police agencies, both inside and outside the county, for their outstanding investigative work over the past months. It is their dedication and professionalism that has brought such great success in holding those who cause the death of another by distributing dangerous drugs accountable. They continuously produce solid cases under the strict liability statute for my prosecutorial staff. I assure you that the Office of the Ocean County Prosecutor will continue to help bring closure to those who have lost loved ones to those who look to profit from the sale of drugs.”
The charges against the three individuals stem from an investigation which began on February 6, 2013 at approximately 5:07am when the Toms River Police Department received a 911 telephone call advising of an unresponsive female at a Pine Crest Drive address in Toms River. TRPD Officer Ronald Bayer arrived at the location to find Jamie Caravella lying on the floor of a bedroom in the residence not breathing and with no pulse. Empty bags of heroin and a needle were found near Caravella. Toms River Medic Unit #11, along with MONOC #212, arrived on scene and the victim was pronounced dead at approximately 5:27am via telephone with Newark Beth Israel Hospital.
On February 7, 2013, a post mortem examination was conducted by the Office of the Ocean County Medical Examiner. The autopsy provided a critical piece of evidence needed to solidify the charges against Young, Valentin, and Robinson. The Medical Examiner found the cause of death was a negative reaction to heroin.
Young, Valentin, and Robinson are charged with First Degree Drug Induced Death and Second Degree Manslaughter. Young was servedby Ocean County Prosecutor Det. John Carroll and Toms River Ptl. Andy Chenchirk with his arrest warrant yesterday (4/29) at approximately 3pm in the Monmouth County Correctional Facility. Young has been incarcerated there since March 27, 2014 on violations of Federal Narcotic charges. Valentin was arrested yesterday (4/29), with the help of the Perth Amboy Special Investigations Bureau, at approximately 9:30pm at 156 Gordon Street in Perth Amboy, NJ. Robinson remains at large and is actively being sought by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office. Anyone with information regarding Robinson’s whereabouts is asked to contact Ocean County Prosecutor Detective John Carroll at 732-929-2027. Bail for all three on today’s charges has been set at $200,000 cash only.
The Major Crimes Unit of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, the Special Enforcement Team (SET) of the Toms River Police Department, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Criminalistics Investigation Unit, and the Perth Amboy Police Department Special Investigations Bureau all contributed to the investigation culminating in the arrests of Young and Valentin and the signing of charges against the three named defendants. This case is being prosecuted by Ocean County Senior Assistant Prosecutor Michael R. Weatherstone. Below are each defendant’s specific charges and photos:
Rufus A. Young: 1 count of Strict Liability, 1 count of Manslaughter.
Pedro A. Valentin Jr: 1 count of Strict Liability, 1 count of Manslaughter, 2 counts of Distribution of Heroin.
Paul E. Robinson: 1 count of Strict Liability, 1 count of Manslaughter, 1 count of Distribution of Heroin.
The media and public are reminded that criminal charges are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.