Investigators have arrested the man allegedly responsible for providing a tainted dose of heroin to a man who later overdosed in a bathroom of the Wawa on Route 9 South in Forked River April 8.

Nicholas Marco Picone, 32, of Lacey Township is charged in connection with the drug induced death of 29-year old Anthony Terrill Jr.

Picone who is charged with Strict Liability Drug Induced Death has been incarcerated in the Ocean County Correctional Facility since April 12 on prior narcotic drug possession and distribution charges stemming from the same investigation.

It was around 2:10 am on April 8 when Lacey Police arrived at the Wawa after getting a call from employees that there was an unconscious male in the bathroom.

Lacey Officers at the scene spotted signs of a drug overdose immediately and per the Prosecutor’s directive, they contacted the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Major Crimes Unit and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Unit to respond.

The ensuing investigation would lead to Picone and link him to the death.

An autopsy by the Ocean County Medical Examiner confirmed Terrill’s death was drug induced due to a lethal dose of heroin that was combined with fentanyl.

Members of the Ocean County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit and High Tech Crimes Unit, Lacey Township Police Department and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Crime Scene Investigation Unit conducted this investigation.

Ocean County Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Michael Weatherstone is the case prosecutor.

“OCPO will continue to lead the way in developing Strict Liability/Drug Induced Death cases. It’s critical during this opiate crisis we take strong punitive measures against dealers bringing death to those fighting addiction," Ocean County Prosecutor Joe Coronato said.

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

More From The Jersey Shore:

 

More From 94.3 The Point