Guilty Plea in Ocean County Overdose Death

Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato today announced that Nicholas Ippolito, 22, of Point Pleasant, NJ pled guilty to Manslaughter and Distribution of Heroin in connection with the December 19, 2013 strict liability drug induced death of Joseph Piezzo, 25, in Brick, NJ.

“The Strict Liability Statute, as a tool to hold dealers accountable and to fight back against our county’s heroin epidemic, has proven tremendously successful,” said Prosecutor Coronato.  “Seven have been charged and three have chosen to plead guilty to date in just over a year.  This is directly attributed to the effectiveness of my prosecutorial and investigative staff, along with the support of the many county municipal police departments.  It’s the actions of the first responding officers that are instrumental to our success in prosecuting these strict liability cases.”

Nicholas Ippolito’s charges stem from an investigation which began on December 19, 2013, at approximately 8pm when Brick Township Police Officers were called to Joseph Piezzo’s home in Brick for a medical emergency.  Joseph was transported to Brick Hospital where he was subsequently pronounced dead at 8:46pm.  Brick Township Police officers on scene, observing signs of a drug overdose, immediately, per the Prosecutor’s directive, contacted the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Major Crimes Unit and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Unit to respond.  The ensuing intensive investigation would ultimately lead back to Nicholas Ippolito and link him to Joseph Piezzo’s overdose death.

On December 20, 2013, a post mortem examination was conducted by the Office of the Ocean County Medical Examiner.  On January 24, 2014, another critical piece needed to solidify the charge against Ippolito was received.  The Medical Examiner found the cause of death was a negative reaction to prescription and street drugs.

At the time of his sentencing, the State will be seeking 3 years NERA (No Early Release Act) for Manslaughter and 3 years concurrent for the Heroin Distribution charge.     Ippolito has been incarcerated in the Ocean County Jail since February 9, 2014 on a Parole Violation.  His bail on the above charges was set at $200,000 cash no 10% at the time of his arrest on March 7, 2014.

The Major Crimes Unit and High Tech Crime Unit of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department, the Brick Township Police Department and the Point Pleasant Borough Police Department, all contributed to the investigation culminating in the charges against Ippolito.  This case is being prosecuted by Ocean County Senior Assistant Prosecutor Michael R. Weatherstone.

NICHOLAS ROBERT IPPOLITO

Photo Courtesy Ocean County Jail