TOMS RIVER, NJ — The Ocean County Prosecutor’s office has announced a development in a legal case stemming from a tragic overdose death in Berkeley Township. On March 4, Ryan Thompson, 35, from Trenton, entered a guilty plea to Manslaughter charges related to the death of a 55-year-old male on September 29, 2023.
The case, presided over by the Honorable Kimarie Rahill, J.S.C., saw Thompson admit to his role in the victim’s death, which occurred due to a drug overdose. The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, along with local law enforcement, conducted a thorough investigation that linked Thompson and two co-defendants to the distribution of fentanyl to the deceased.
The state intends to seek a seven-year sentence in New Jersey State Prison for Thompson, adhering to the No Early Release Act, at his sentencing scheduled for May 3, 2024. This plea marks a crucial step in addressing the opioid crisis and holding those responsible for distributing lethal substances accountable.
The investigation also led to the arrest of Michael Wormann, 38, of Toms River, and Tina Martinez, 61, of Trenton, who are implicated in the distribution network. Wormann faces charges related to the distribution and possession of fentanyl, emphasizing the joint effort by authorities to combat the opioid epidemic and its devastating impact on communities.