LACEY MAN CHARGED IN BRICK DRUG INDUCED DEATH

Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and Brick Township Police Chief Nils Bergquist announce the arrest yesterday (3/9) of Christopher T. Marsillo, 28, of Lacey, NJ, for causing the Drug Induced Death of Gerard Bornemann, 38, of Brick Township, NJ.  Marsillo is charged with Strict Liability for a Drug Induced Death, Reckless Manslaughter, Distribution of Heroin, Possession of Heroin and Possession with the Intent to Distribute Heroin.  Marsillo’s bail was set by the Honorable Judge Patricia Roe, J.S.C. at $200,000, no 10% option.

On January 24, 2015, at 5:17 pm, the Brick Township Police Department received a 911 call reporting an unresponsive male at a Drum Point Road residence in Brick Township, New Jersey.  Ptl. Harry Thiebault of the Brick Township Police upon arrival at the residence found the victim lying on the bedroom floor.  Ptl. Thiebault attempted life saving measures, including the administration of Narcan, but was unable to revive the victim.  The decedent, later identified as Gerard Bornemann, was pronounced dead at 6 pm.

Investigators from the Brick Township Police Department, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Major Crimes Unit and Ocean County Sheriff’s Department CSI immediately processed the scene, collecting all evidence of narcotic activity and isolating evidence that would possibly lead to the dealer responsible for selling Bornemann the illegal narcotic.

On January 26, 2015, a post mortem examination was conducted on the decedent at the Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office.   That examination by the medical examiner ultimately concluded that Borneman’s death was drug induced, specifically caused by heroin.

The partnering agencies in the following months developed information identifying the defendant as a possible suspect.  The investigation would reveal that the defendant allegedly met with the victim earlier on January 24th, selling him the heroin that would lead to the victim’s overdose death.

On March 9, 2015, Brick Township Police Department Detective Joseph Lescowski and Ocean County Prosecutor’s Major Crimes Unit Detective John Carroll, after meeting with Christopher Marsillo at his place of employment, brought him back to Lacey Police Department to continue the investigation.  Marsillo was subsequently placed under arrest at that location on the above charges and remanded to the Ocean County Jail in default of Bail.

The Office of the Ocean County Prosecutor has conducted 18 Drug Induced Death Investigations to date since the appointment of Prosecutor Coronato in March of 2013. Six (6) defendants have pled guilty to Strict Liability charges and 2 codefendants have pled guilty to drug charges in the 18 separate cases.  Strict Liability enforcement is a major component of the OCPO efforts to stem the tide of opiate- related overdose deaths in Ocean County.

The media and the public are reminded that criminal charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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