KINGSTON –Ulster County District Attorney David Clegg has issued its most severe charge for overdose-related homicide ever; Manslaughter, to Jamal Thompson of Patterson, NJ.
Following an investigation of a fatal, fentanyl-laced, heroin overdose of a 35-year-old man from Kerhonksen on January 10th, the narcotics were traced back to Thompson in New Jersey.
Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa said they used the stamp branding the narcotics and successfully traced it back.
“This particular dose of heroin and fentanyl had a stamp with an Ouija board and HIDTA played a big role in putting out an intel alert in thetri-statearea in regards to the fatalities involving that Ouija board stamped fentanyl,” said Figueroa.
This is the third instance of charges related to an overdose resulting in a homicide charge, but the other two times it was for criminally negligent homicide. Manslaughter in the 2nd degree is a class C felony and differs from criminally negligent homicide with the distinction that the behavior was known by the defendant to be reckless.
Ulster County District attorney David Clegg said the county is setting a precedent against the sale and distribution of fentanyl-laced heroin and this time they have the evidence to bring forth this more severe charge.
“We as a county are trying to send out the message that the dealing of poisonous drugs containing fentanyl is not going to be tolerated in our community,” said Clegg. “In this case, we have the proof to present to a Grand Jury that this person, Jamal Thompson, was dealing drugs with fentanyl,” he said.
Thompson waived his extradition hearing and an indictment was sent out from an Ulster County Grand Jury on August 20th. He was remanded to Ulster County Jail to await arraignment on this and other charges.
NEWS STORY & IMAGES PROVIDED BY: Mid Hudson News -www.midhudsonnews.com