Pennsylvania man sentenced to prison for NJ resident’s overdose death

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FLEMINGTON – A 47-year-old Pennsylvania man convicted of selling heroin and fentanyl that led to the overdose death of a Clinton Township resident is headed to prison.

Richard J. Ricciardi of Easton was sentenced by Hunterdon County Superior Court Judge Angela F. Borkowski Wednesday to seven years in state prison for first-degree strict liability in a drug-induced death, Hunterdon County Acting Prosecutor Michael J. Williams said in a news release. Ricciardi will be on parole for five years following his release.

Ricciardi was charged May 29, 2018 following a joint investigation by detectives from the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force and the Clinton Township Police Department, according to the news release.

Ricciardi admitted in court that he sold a fatal dose of heroin and fentanyl to a Clinton Township resident on May 28, 2018.

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He was indicted on June 28, 2018 and pleaded guilty March 26, 2019.

Williams commended Clinton Township Detective Sergeant Larry Anthes and Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office Detective William Musacchio for their hard work and perseverance during the investigation.

“The Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office will continue to use all available resources to seek out and prosecute those who deal or distribute drugs in Hunterdon County. We have witnessed too many deaths and too much pain caused by the drug epidemic that has swept this country. Those responsible for dealing drugs that result in a fatal overdose will be prosecuted and brought to justice,” Williams said in the news release.

Suzanne Russell covers crime, courts and other forms of mayhem from throughout the Central Jersey area for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact her at srussell@gannettnj.com.

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