A Little Falls NJ doctor was recently indicted on strict liability homicide charges in connection with the fatal drug overdose of a patient.
The suspect is a 77-year-old man with a medical practice in Little Falls, New Jersey. According to prosecutors, the suspect preyed on drug addicts and drug dealers by prescribing them painkillers and opioids.
The suspect allegedly prescribed oxycodone to a 26-year-old Clifton NJ man in 2014, despite the fact that the victim s mom warned him to stop giving her son medication.
In December 2014, the victim died as a result of using prescription painkillers that were reportedly prescribed by the suspect.
Federal authorities, including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), then opened an investigation into the suspect and reportedly found that he was prescribing oxycodone to patients who did not need the medication.
The suspect later sold prescriptions to an undercover DEA agent, according to prosecutors in the case. The suspect was then placed under arrest.
The suspect s wife has also been charged in connection with the homicide because she allegedly conspired with the suspect to prescribe painkillers to the victim and others. In fact, authorities believe that the suspect s medical practice was a major source of prescription drugs for addicts throughout Northern New Jersey.
Now the suspect and his wife could be headed to prison. A grand jury indicted the pair on numerous criminal charges, including strict liability homicide, prescription drug distribution, conspiracy, money laundering, and tax fraud.
If the doctor is convicted under the NJ strict liability law, he could potentially be sentenced to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison.
For additional information about this case, read the NJ.com article, “N.J. Doctor Charged in Opioid Overdose Death of Patient.”
