CINNAMINSON DRUG DEALER CHARGED WITH THE FATAL OVERDOSE OF CUSTOMER
" Zachary DiBattista Has Been Charged With Strict Liability For Drug Induced Death In Connection With The Death Max Mather."
February 28, 2022 4:35 A.M. ET By Art Fletcher Reporting For: Englebrook Independent News,
MOUNT HOLLY, NJ.- In another instance of Social Media playing a role in Drug Distribution, a Cinnaminson Drug Dealer who arranged his sale on SnapChat has been Charged in connection to the Fatal Overdose of an Eighteen Year Old who purchased a counterfeit Oxycodone Pill from him in March 2021.
On Friday, February 25, 2022 Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina and Medford Township Police Chief Art Waterman announced the Arrest of a 19-Year-Old Cinnaminson Township Drug Dealer has been Charged with Causing the Death of a Medford Township, New Jersey Teenager who Fatally Overdosed in his home early last year on Counterfeit Prescription Drugs that Contained Fentanyl.
Zachary DiBattista, was Charged earlier this month with First Degree Strict Liability for Drug-Induced Death. Mr. DiBattista was taken into custody Wednesday, February 23, 2022 by Members of The U.S. Marshals Service New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force, with assistance from The Camden and Atlantic City Divisions. The Burlington County Sheriff’s Department is a Member of The Task Force and participated in the Arrest.
After being Processed on the Charge, DiBattista was Lodged in The Burlington County Jail in Mount Holly, New Jersey pending a Detention Hearing in Burlington County State Superior Court.
The investigation began on March 6, 2021, after Members of The Medford Township Police Department responded to a Yorkshire Drive Home for a report of an Unattended Death. Upon arrival, Police Officers found the body of Max Mather, 18, in his bedroom.
The Burlington County Medical Examiner's Office determined that Mr. Mather succumbed from Fentanyl Toxicity. The toxicology report also noted the presence of Xylazine, an Animal Tranquilizer not approved for human use.
The investigation further determined that Mr. Mather Fatally Overdosed on Pills he had purchased from Mr. DiBattista a day earlier at a Marlton Convenience Store during a meeting that was arranged on Snapchat. The investigation further revealed that Mr. Mather was purchasing what he believed to be Oxycontin Pills, when in reality he was provided with Counterfeit Controlled Prescription Drugs containing Fentanyl that were designed to resemble authentic Oxycodone 30 mg Tablets.
The Counterfeit Pills are Blue and are Stamped with “M-30.” They tend to be Off-Color from Legitimate Tablets, can be speckled and are easier to crush. Most important, they commonly contain Fentanyl, which can be Fifty Times Stronger than Heroin, meaning those who take them are unaware of the Potentially Lethal Consequences.
“One of the most tragic aspects of the unrelenting substance use disorder epidemic is how young overdose victims tend to be,” Prosecutor Coffina said. “In this case, the victim was only 18 and still in high school, with his whole life ahead of him. He presumably thought he was taking a prescription drug that would not harm him, and it is nearly impossible for the untrained eye to distinguish a ‘real’ Oxycontin Pill from a counterfeit one. To avoid similar tragedies, we need to do everything possible to make sure our children and adults understand that there is no such thing as a ‘safe’ prescription drug unless prescribed by a licensed professional and supplied by a licensed pharmacy.”
" The Rules Of The Court Require Us To Include A Statement, Which States: The Charges Outlined In This Publication Are Merely Accusations And The Defendant And Or Defendants Are Presumed Innocent Unless And Until Proven Guilty Beyond Reasonable Doubt."
FILED UNDER FEBRUARY 28, 2022: LAW, BURLINGTON: