An Atlantic City woman accused of providing a fatal drug mix to a man last year was released on home detention Wednesday.
Jacklyn Hessen, 26, texted a warning to the man that she delivered five folds of drugs to a day before he died, according to the state.
“I’ve lost way too many people to this shit,” Hessen texted after telling Daniel Trocki that the drug was strong and to only take a little and wait 15 minutes, Chief Assistant Prosecutor Allison Eiselen told the judge.
Hessen later deleted her communication with the victim, in an attempt to hinder the investigation, the state alleges.
But Hessen's attorney argued that her client was a drug addict herself buying drugs not a seller profiting from it or manufacturing the lethal dose.
Hessen purchased 10 bags, keeping five for herself and sending five more via Uber in laundry to Trocki, with whom Hessen had a dating relationship, attorney Melissa Rosenblum said.
The combination of heroin, fentanyl and 4-ANPP killed the 38-year-old man Oct. 15.
Hessen was questioned Nov. 3, and at the time charged with distribution and possession and placed on a summons, Rosenblum noted.
"She cooperated with police," her attorney said.
A warrant in the drug-induced death was issued for Hessen's arrest last Monday.
Hessen lives with and cares for her disabled mother, Rosenblum said.
Judge Patricia Wild had questions about Hessen's employment, which is as "a content creator" for Only Fans, explained Rosenblum, who briefly consulted with her client off the record to get details to provide to the judge.
"You know what that could mean?" the judge asked. "That could mean a lot of things."
The site, which works on paid subscription, is best known for use by sex workers, but also has other types of content, including physical fitness experts and musicians, according to the company.
"I did ask if it was all clean what she posts," Rosenblum told the judge. "It's not anything inappropriate. It's no nudes, it's none of that. I did ask those questions because I had the same concerns."
Screenshots some BreakingAC readers shared that they claim were from the Only Fans posts indicate content of a sexual nature is shared by Hessen.
When asked about her income from the platform, Rosenblum said she had screenshots and cited one from June 29 that indicated she made $35 that day.
Wild called her decision to release Hessen "a close call."
"The whole cold and casual nature of this is really chilling," the judge said, adding that these cases often include a "friend" sitting down and even doing the deadly drugs with the victim.
"This is just as chilling as a big-time dealer going out and selling drugs to people, a so-called friend doing this," she said.
But because Hessen has no criminal history and the public service assessment recommended she be released, Wild granted it, but with strict conditions.
Hessen cannot leave her mother's home except to meet with her attorney or take her mother for medical care.
Wild also allowed for a hearing if Hessen is able to get into drug treatment that could transfer her home detention to a facility.
The judge clarified that Hessen will not be on an ankle monitor since that is now granted only in cases with a living victim.
