Newest Indictment in a Strict Liability Prosecution
Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato today announced the Ocean County Grand Jury returned an indictment charging Jeana Ganun, 35, of South Toms River, in the drug induced death of Eric Mills on May 29, 2013. The Grand Jury billed an indictment for 1st Degree Drug Induced Death and one count of Distribution of Oxycodone in the 3rd Degree.
Additionally, Ganun was indicted for Distribution of Oxycodone, 3rd Degree, Witness Tampering, 2nd Degree, 3 counts of Terroristic Threat, 3rd Degree, one count of Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer, 3rd Degree and two counts of Resisting Arrest 3rd Degree. The Aggravated Assault and Resisting charges stem from a June 14, 2013 incident, following her release on bail, in which Ganun threatened individuals in connection to the Mills case. She then resisted arrest and assaulted Ptl. Michael Schneidt of the South Toms River Police Department.
“This is the seventeenth individual charged with strict liability in just over a year. Eleven have already entered guilty pleas and I assure you there will be others,” said Prosecutor Coronato. “Those who cause the death of another by distributing dangerous drugs will pay a steep price for their actions. My resolve is strengthened with each successful prosecution. The Office of the Ocean County Prosecutor will do all in its power to protect those suffering from the tragic consequences of drug addiction.”
Jeana Ganun’s indictment stems from an investigation which began on May 29, 2013, just after 8p.m. when South Toms River Police Patrol Units were called to a Baylor Street address in South Toms River for a medical emergency. Responding officers and the South Toms River First Aid Squad found Eric Mills unconscious and not breathing. CPR was administered and Mills was transported to Community Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 9:07p.m. South Toms River 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 Jeana Ganun and link her to Eric Mills’ overdose death.
On May 30, 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 charge against Ganun. The Medical Examiner found the cause of death was a negative prescription drug reaction.
Ganun was initially arrested and charged with the drug induced death of Eric Mills on April 22, 2014. She is incarcerated in the Ocean County jail on $110,000 bail for the Drug Induced Death charge and an additional $200,000 cash bail on separate charges of False Report to Incriminate Another, Invasion of Privacy and Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
The case was investigated by Ocean County Prosecutor Det. John Murphy and South Toms River Police Department Det. Timothy Meier. The Major Crimes Unit of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, the South Toms River Police Department and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department all contributed to the investigation culminating in the arrest of Ganun. This case is being prosecuted by Ocean County Assistant Prosecutor Kristin L. Pressman, Esq.
The media and public are reminded that criminal charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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