Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Pequannock Police Chief Daniel Comune announce the sentencing of David Pezak, age 35, formerly of Saddle Brook, Bergen County, for first-degree Strict Liability for Drug Induced Death and other charges.
On Friday, December 13, 2023, Pezak entered guilty pleas to first-degree Strict Liability for Drug Induced Death and third-degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance. On January 12, 2024, Pezak was sentenced to a term of 10 years New Jersey State Prison subject to the No Early Release Act concurrent to a term of 5 years with 2 years parole ineligibility for Possession of CDS. The sentence was imposed by the Honorable Ralph Amirata, J.S.C.
On Monday, November 15, 2021, law enforcement responded to a 911 call regarding an unresponsive female at a residence in Pequannock Township. The female victim, later identified as A.C., was pronounced deceased at the scene. The Morris County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the cause of A.C.’s death as Fentanyl, Amphetamine, Carisoprodol and Clonazepam Intoxication.
Based on subsequent investigation, it is alleged that David Pezak conspired with an unnamed individual to distribute narcotics to A.C. on November 15, 2021, in Paterson, New Jersey. It is further alleged that A.C.’s death resulted from her ingestion of the substance she obtained through her communications with Pezak.
Pezak was subsequently charged with first degree Strict Liability for Drug-Induced Death; third degree Conspiracy to Distribute; third degree Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance; third degree Possession of a CDS; and a disorderly persons offense of Possession of CDS Paraphernalia.
The Strict Liability for Drug-Induced Death statute 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.
In accordance with the Criminal Justice Reform Act, Pezak was detained in the Morris County Correctional Facility during the pendency of these proceedings.
Multiple law enforcement agencies contributed to this investigation and arrest, including the Pequannock Township Police Department, the Saddle Brook Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit.
Prosecutor Carroll said, “The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Morris County Sheriff’s Office and the Morris County Chiefs of Police Association members are resolute in our commitment to investigating and enforcing applicable state law, which calls for prosecuting distributors, whose sales lead to drug-related deaths, as first-degree offenders. We are losing too many lives to these deadly poisons. Let this be a warning to drug dealers - you are taking an enormous risk with every dose of heroin/fentanyl you distribute.”
