March 6, 2024
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on March 4, 2024, Ryan Thompson, 35, of Trenton, pled guilty to Manslaughter before the Honorable Kimarie Rahill, J.S.C., in connection with the death of a 55-year-old male in Berkeley Township on September 29, 2023. At the time of Thompson’s sentencing on May 3, 2024, the State will seek a term of seven years New Jersey State Prison – subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act.
On September 29, 2023, Officers from the Berkeley Township Police Department responded to a residence on Torrey Pines Drive for a report of an unresponsive male. Upon arrival, Officers discovered the body of the victim – already deceased from an apparent drug overdose.
A continuing investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, and Berkeley Township Police Department Detective Bureau, revealed that Thompson and his co-defendants, Michael Wormann, 38, of Toms River, and Tina Martinez, 61, of Trenton, were involved in the distribution of fentanyl to the victim on September 28, 2023.
On September 30, 2023, Wormann was initially charged with Distribution of Fentanyl, Possession of Less than One-Half Ounce of Fentanyl with Intent to Distribute, and Possession of Fentanyl. He was taken into custody without incident at his residence by Berkeley Township Police Officers, and released on a summons pending a future appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.
On October 17, 2023, Martinez was initially charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl. She was taken into custody without incident at her residence in Trenton, transported to New Jersey State Police Headquarters in Trenton, and released on a summons pending a future appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.
On October 20, 2023, Thompson was likewise charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl. He turned himself in to Berkeley Township Police Headquarters on that date, and was subsequently transported to the Ocean County Jail where he has remained since.
Further investigation and toxicology analysis received by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed the presence of fentanyl in the victim’s system. Based upon the toxicology analysis, the Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office opined that the fentanyl found in the victim’s system was the cause of his death. As a consequence, Thompson, Wormann, and Martinez were all charged in connection with the victim’s death on November 14, 2023.
Thompson is presently lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending his sentencing on May 3, 2024. The charges against Wormann and Martinez- who were previously released from the Ocean County Jail as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform – remain pending; the public and press are reminded that at this time, the charges against Wormann and Martinez are merely accusations, and they are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).
Prosecutor Billhimer commends Assistant Prosecutor Stephen Burke who is handling the case on behalf of the State, and acknowledges the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Berkeley Township Police Department, Berkeley Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Trenton City Police Department, New Jersey State Police, Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office, and Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office’s Victim Witness Unit, for their combined and collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation, ultimately resulting in Thompson’s guilty plea.
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