A Pleasantville man was ordered held in jail Friday in the drug-overdose death of an Egg Harbor Township man.
George Franco, 25, allegedly sold Peter Thomas a lethal combination of heroin, fentanyl, 4-ANPP and xylazine, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office.
Franco was arrested July 18, after a warrant was issued following an investigation that included using the phone number in the victim's phone to set up a drug deal, according to the affidavit of probable cause obtained by BreakingAC.
Thomas, 53, was pronounced dead at his home after police responded to the call for an unresponsive male, the affidavit states.
A witness told police he gave Franco's phone number to Thomas earlier that day. The witness said he and Thomas had previously bought dope from Franco.
Thomas' cell phone contained text messages between him and Franco setting up the buy in Pleasantville, the affidavit states.
The unnamed witness also told police that he had used the drugs with Thomas. He nodded out and, after waking up, found Thomas unresponsive, he told police.
Detectives set up a purchase with Franco on May 31, and met him in Pleasantville, the affidavit states. When he was told he was being arrested, he ran from police.
Franco was arrested following a brief chase, with police finding drugs along the path and in his vehicle. They all had a matching stamp, according to the affidavit.
He was released on a summons on the drug charges, with detectives continuing the investigation into Thomas' death.
A search of Franco's cell phone found messages setting up the fatal buy, the affidavit states. Cell phone location records also showed that both men were together within the area Franco had told Thomas to meet him.
The witness also positively identified Franco in a photograph, according to the affidavit.
A warrant was issued for Franco's arrest July 18.
Judge Patricia Wild ordered him held Friday. He will now remain in the Atlantic County Justice Facility.
The investigation was conducted by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office’s Gangs, Guns and Narcotics Unit, along with the Egg Harbor Township and Pleasantville police departments.
