LAKEWOOD MAN CHARGED IN SEASIDE HEIGHTS DRUG INDUCED DEATH
Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and Seaside Heights Police Chief Thomas Boyd announce the arrest of Jashon Jamiel Brinson, 28, of Lakewood, NJ, for causing the Drug Induced Death of William Akers, 29, of Seaside Heights, NJ. Brinson is charged with Distribution of CDS and Manslaughter. His bail was set by Judge Francis R. Hodgson, Jr., J.S.C. at $250,000 cash only.
On October 16, 2014, at 3:25 am, the Seaside Heights Police Department was dispatched to a Boulevard address in Seaside Heights for the report of an unconscious and unresponsive male. Seaside Heights Police, Tri Boro First Aid and MONOC Units arrived and pronounced William Akers dead at 3:50 am.
As per Prosecutor Coronato’s mandate, an immediate investigation was started by the Seaside Heights Police Department, Ocean County Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Special Operations Group and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department (CSI). The partnering agencies immediately processed the scene, collecting all evidence of narcotic activity and isolating evidence that would possibly lead to the dealer responsible for selling Akers the illegal narcotic.
In the following months, the partnering agencies, with assistance from the Lakewood Police Department and the Toms River Police Department, would develop information identifying Brinson as a suspect. Confirmation by the Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office that Akers’ death was ruled drug induced would provide the final necessary piece to charge Brinson with Akers’ death.
The United States Marshals on March 6 located Brinson in Asbury Park, NJ, and served him the OCPO outstanding arrest warrant pertaining to the death of William Akers. He is lodged in 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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