Morris Prosecutor: Mt. Olive Man Sentenced to State Prison for Drug-Induced Death of Jefferson Woman

Published on August 03, 2018

Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announces that 38-year-old Kayron Jackson, aka Alkama Jackson, aka Keys, of Mount Olive has been convicted and sentenced for his involvement in the 2017 drug-related death of Jennifer Ward of Jefferson Township.

Earlier today (Friday, Aug. 3), Jackson was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Stephen Taylor to eight years in New Jersey State Prison as a result of his previous guilty plea to the crime of first degree Strict Liability for Drug Induced Death.

Jackson must serve 85-percent of his sentence before being eligible for parole. He also will be subject to a five-year period of parole supervision upon his release from prison. Jackson previously pled guilty to this crime on June 27.

The Morris County Prosecutor's Office, in conjunction with other county and local law enforcement agencies, continues to investigate the distribution of controlled dangerous substances that result in fatal overdoses as homicides,'' said Prosecutor Knapp.

"Significant time and resources are continuously dedicated to this ongoing effort. In addition to the two convictions for Strict Liability for Drug Induced Death, there have been multiple other defendants convicted and sentenced to periods in State Prison for their distribution of controlled dangerous substances, the injection, inhalation, or ingestion of which factored into the death of others who have fatally overdosed.

In October, 2017, Jackson was charged in an 18-count indictment with various crimes, including the first-degree crime of Strict Liability for Drug-Induced Death, and other drug-related crimes. These charges stemmed from an investigation into the death of Jennifer Ward, who was discovered deceased in her Jefferson home on the morning of May 5, 2017.(JPG, 31KB)

The investigation ultimately revealed that Jackson distributed fentanyl to Ward in Mount Olive on the night before her death. Jackson

The first-degree crime of Strict Liability for Drug-Induced Death provides that any person who manufactures, distributes or dispenses any of a number of controlled dangerous substances is strictly liable for a death that results from the injection, inhalation, or ingestion of that substance.

This conviction and sentence marks the second successful prosecution by the Morris County Prosecutor's Office of Strict Liability for Drug-Induced Death in the last year. In September 2017, Blaine Holley was sentenced to eight years in State Prison as a result of his guilty plea to the crime of first degree Strict Liability for Drug Induced Death. Holley's conviction resulted from a fatal overdose in Hanover Township in September 2016.

Prosecutor Knapp thanks the members of the Mount Olive Police Department, Jefferson Township Police Department, the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Unit and Special Enforcement Unit, the Morris County Sheriff's Office €“ Crime Scene Investigation, and the Morris County Medical Examiner's Office who contributed to this investigation and prosecution.

Chief Assistant Prosecutor Matthew Troiano represented the state in this matter.

Inquiries can be directed to the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Public Information Officer Peter DiGennaro at 973-829-8159.