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Two teenagers died from deadly fentanyl provided by elias santiago now facing 15 years in prison — Atlantic City police department patrol car-Atlantic City Police Department

TRENTON, N.J. — An Atlantic County man was sentenced to 15 years in state prison for providing fentanyl-laced pills that led to the fatal overdoses of two teenagers, New Jersey authorities announced Thursday.

Elias Santiago, 27, of Egg Harbor Township, was sentenced on March 10 by Atlantic County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey J. Waldman. He pleaded guilty in December to two counts of strict liability drug-induced death. Santiago must serve 85% of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole under the No Early Release Act.

“The defendant sold deadly, illegal drugs disguised as Percocet, leading directly to the overdose deaths of two teenagers,” said Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin. “This case highlights the tragic consequences when callous drug dealers sell their dangerous products to unsuspecting users.”

The case began on August 17, 2022, when 14-year-old A.P. and 17-year-old M.M. were found unresponsive at A.P.’s home in Chester County, Pennsylvania. Both were later pronounced dead at a Delaware hospital. Investigators determined they had ingested fentanyl-laced pills that M.M. had purchased from Santiago in Sea Isle City, New Jersey.

Authorities traced Santiago’s drug sales through encrypted messaging apps and executed a search warrant at his home in Egg Harbor City on September 22, 2022, where they recovered counterfeit pills and packaging materials matching those found at the scene. Santiago later admitted in court that he sold the pills that led to the teenagers’ deaths.

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