Same Day/Same Address Heroin Overdoses of Four Individuals Leads to Prompt Drug Distribution Arrests of Two Other Subjects

[Chief Michael Richards]

On Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at 2:07 pm, Newton Police responded to a Halsted Street residence for a report of an unconscious male.  Upon arrival at the scene, Patrol Officers observed a 32-year-old male to be unconscious, unresponsive and in respiratory distress in a room while displaying physical signs and symptoms that were consistent with a heroin overdose.  As a result, responding patrols administered Naloxone (Narcan) and performed rescue breathing.  Subsequently, the male was transported to the Newton Medical Center for further treatment by the Newton First Aid Squad.  Paramedics from St. Clare’s also assisted at scene.

While rendering first aid to the 32-year-old male, Officers were alerted to another male in the house who was reported to be suffering from a seizure.  Patrol officers observed a 31-year-old male to be unconscious and unresponsive in the hallway while displaying physical signs and symptoms that were consistent with a heroin overdose.   As a result, Patrol Officers administered Naloxone (Narcan) and performed rescue breathing.  He was given oxygen and placed in the recovery position as he regained consciousness.  He was then transported to the Newton Medical Center by Newton First Aid Squad.  Paramedics from St. Clare’s also assisted at scene.

At 6:49 pm, Newton Police responded to the same Halsted Street residence as earlier in the day for a report of an unconscious male.  Upon arrival at the scene, Patrol Officers observed a 28-year-old male to be unconscious, unresponsive and in respiratory distress in a bathtub in a bathroom while displaying physical signs and symptoms that were consistent with a heroin overdose.  As a result, responding patrols administered Naloxone (Narcan) and performed rescue breathing.  Subsequently, the male was transported to the Newton Medical Center by Newton First Aid Squad.

At 8:34 pm, Newton Police were called back to the same Halsted Street residence as earlier in the day and the evening for a report of an unconscious female.  Upon arrival at the scene, Patrol Officers observed a 47-year-old female to be unconscious, unresponsive and in respiratory distress in a room while displaying physical signs and symptoms that were consistent with a heroin overdose.  As a result, responding patrols administered Naloxone (Narcan) and performed rescue breathing.  Subsequently, the female was transported to the Newton Medical Center by Newton First Aid Squad.

The overdoses and previous reports of drug activity at the residence helped Detectives from the Newton Police Department and the Sussex County Guns, Gangs & Narcotics Task Force develop information to conduct a cooperative investigation into the distribution of heroin.  Detectives gathered intelligence and interviewed witnesses which led to a search of the location.  The investigative work resulted in the arrest of the following individuals on Thursday April 20, 2017:

Julie E. Taylor, a 42-year-old female from Newton, NJ, was charged with the following offenses:

• Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance, N.J.S. 2C:35-5a(1)b(3), a Crime of the Third Degree
• Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, N.J.S. 2C:35-5a(1)b(3), a Crime of the Third Degree
• Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance in a School Zone, N.J.S. 2C:35-7a, a Crime of the Third Degree

Robert J. Agresta, an unemployed 53-year-old male from Newton, NJ, was charged with the following offenses:

• Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance, N.J.S. 2C:35-5a(1)b(3), a Crime of the Third Degree
• Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, N.J.S. 2C:35-5a(1)b(3), a Crime of the Third Degree
• Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance in a School Zone, N.J.S. 2C:35-7a, a Crime of the Third Degree

Judge James Devine, JMC authorized the issuance of the arrest warrants for Taylor and Agresta.  Both were processed and pursuant to the Bail Reform Law, both were lodged in the Sussex County Jail pending a hearing concerning their release and/or release conditions to be ordered by the Court. 

The investigation was conducted by officers from the Newton Police Department’s Patrol Division, Detective Bureau, and Detectives from the Sussex County Guns, Gangs, and Narcotics Task Force.  All overdose victims were provided referral information about the Sussex County C.L.E.A.R. Program - http://clearprogram.org/