Man Sentenced in Connection with Fatal Drug Overdose in Hanover Twp
Published on July 26, 2024
Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Hanover Township Police Chief Michael Loock announce the sentencing of Anthony Dello-Russo, age 28, of Morris Plains, New Jersey, for first-degree Strict Liability for Drug Induced Death and other charges.
On June 5, 2024, Dello-Russo entered guilty pleas to first-degree Strict Liability for Drug Induced Death and second-degree Possession of Cocaine with the Intent to Distribute in connection with a 2023 fatal overdose. On Friday, July 26, the Honorable Ralph Amirata, J.S.C., imposed an aggregate sentence of seven years in New Jersey State Prison, five of which will be subject to the No Early Release Act. The defendant also consented to forfeit $51,788 in U.S. currency as part of this resolution.
On February 16, 2023, law enforcement responded to a residence in Whippany on a report of an unconscious male. The male victim, later identified as T.H., age 28, was pronounced deceased on scene. The Morris County Medical Examiner’s Office certified the cause of T.H.’s death as combined toxicity of cocaine, fentanyl, and acetyl fentanyl.
Based on subsequent investigation, it was determined that Dello-Russo distributed controlled dangerous substances to T.H. on February 15, 2023, in Morris Plains, and that T.H.’s death resulted from his ingestion of the substances distributed by Dello-Russo. Additionally, it was determined that on December 8, 2023, Dello-Russo possessed more than one-half ounce of cocaine at his residence with the intent to distribute.
Dello-Russo was initially arrested on December 8, 2023, and charged with second-degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with the Intent to Distribute and related offenses. He was subsequently charged with first-degree Strict Liability for Drug-Inducted Death and related offenses on December 26, 2023.
The Strict Liability for Drug-Induced Death statute, N.J.S. 2C:35-9, provides that any person who manufactures, distributes, or dispenses any number of controlled dangerous substances is strictly liable for a death that results from the injection, inhalation, or ingestion of that substance.
Multiple law enforcement agencies contributed to this investigation and arrest, including the Hanover Township Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Operations Division.
Prosecutor Carroll said, “Morris County law enforcement agencies are committed to investigating and enforcing state law, and when appropriate, holding distributors of these deadly narcotics accountable. Drug dealers who operate in Morris County, take note - you are taking a huge risk with every dose of heroin/fentanyl you sell.”