Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced that a Pemberton Township drug dealer has been indicted for causing the death of a customer to whom she sold fentanyl-laced heroin in 2017.
Shannon McGuigan, 33, of the 100 block of Tensaw Drive, was charged with one count of Strict Liability for Drug-Induced Death (First Degree), one count of Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (Third Degree), one count of Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with Intent to Distribute (Third Degree), and one count of Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (Third Degree). An arraignment has been scheduled for January 14 in Superior Court.
The victim, a 26-year-old female, was discovered dead in her Pemberton Township home by a family member the morning of May 30, 2017. An autopsy performed by Burlington County Medical Examiner Dr. Ian Hood indicated the cause of death was due to heroin and fentanyl toxicity.
The investigation revealed that the victim purchased drugs from McGuigan a short time before she fatally overdosed. McGuigan had cocaine on her person when she was arrested at her home in June 2018 by Pemberton Township police officers.
The case is being prosecuted by BCPO Assistant Prosecutor Jeremy Lackey. The investigation was conducted by the Pemberton Township Police Department. The lead investigator is Pemberton Township Police Lt. Brian Smith.
An indictment is an accusation. Defendants are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty.