An Egg Harbor Township man was sentenced to 15 years in prison for a drug sale that killed two teenagers in 2022.
The boys, ages 17 and 14, thought they were buying Percocets but instead were sold counterfeit pills containing fentanyl and other drugs.
Elias Santiago, whose last name is also listed as Santiago-Vera and Santiago-Vega, pleaded guilty Dec. 16, two counts of strict liability drug-induced death.
He was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Santiago, 27, must serve at least 12 years and nine months under the No Early Release Act.
The teens were found unresponsive in the 14-year-old's bedroom Aug. 17, by his father in their Landenberg, Pa., home. The 17-year-old, an Ocean City High School senior identified only as M.M., was in the upper bunk, while the younger boy, identified as A.P., was in the lower bunk.
They were pronounced dead at a Delaware hospital.
“The defendant sold deadly, illegal drugs disguised as Percocet, leading directly to the overdose deaths of two teenagers,” Attorney General Matthew Platkin said. “This case highlights the tragic consequences when callous drug dealers sell their dangerous products to unsuspecting users, who don’t even know what they’re really getting. It only takes a small amount of the wrong illegal drug to result in a tragedy like this. This dealer has now learned the price he will pay for his role in these deaths.”
A.P.'s father found the older boy's bookbag, which contained two blue packages marked Gelatti, according to the indictment. One had 17 green pills marked as Xanax, while the other had 18 round white pills marked as Oxycodone.
But when the white pills were tested, it was found they were a mixture of fentanyl and methamphetamine, according to the report.
“The work of our New Jersey State Police and our partners in Pennsylvania allowed us to track down the source of these deadly drugs and charge the person responsible,” state Department of Criminal Justice Director Theresa L. Hilton said. “New Jersey’s strict-liability statute was enacted precisely to hold accountable the drug dealers who endanger lives as they profit by selling lethal drugs to unsuspecting buyers.”
Santiago's residence was searched Sept. 7, and numerous drugs were allegedly recovered, including pills marked oxycodone that tested positive for xylazine, a veterinary drug used as a sedative/anesthesia for horses and cows. They also recovered the same type of bright-blue bags marked Gelatti that were used to package the counterfeit pills recovered from M.M.’s bookbag.
He allegedly operated a Telegram messenger group called "BaldysRUS," which showed pictures, videos and different prices for controlled dangerous substances for sale.
“We are grateful for our law enforcement partners who uphold our zero-tolerance approach toward illegal drugs and share our commitment to justice when these dangerous substances reach the youth of our communities,” said Colonel Christopher Paris, commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police. “We will not let any boundary or obstacle stop us from holding drug dealers accountable for their actions.”
Santiago was indicted March 15, 2023, but fled to Mexico, where he was a fugitive until he surrendered to authorities in Texas on two weeks later, Platkin previously said.
The indictment detailed three purchases M.M. made from Santiago via Telegram between Aug. 15 and Aug. 16, 2022, totaling $955 paid via CashApp, which included delivery fees.
The first two deliveries were made to M.M.'s Sea Isle City home, the indictment states. The third was to the home of a friend in Ocean Grove.
M.M. then drove to A.P.'s home the night of Aug. 16, 2022. The two messaged through Snapchat, with M.M. confirming he was on his way with the drugs, according to the indictment.
“The sentencing of this individual serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of the fentanyl epidemic,” said Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “Two young lives were tragically lost due to the reckless actions of someone who prioritized profit over human life. Our thoughts remain with the families who will forever feel the pain of this loss. Holding those who distribute these lethal substances accountable is not just a matter of law enforcement—it’s a moral obligation. The New Jersey State Police, along with our partners, will continue to pursue those who poison our communities and endanger our children.”
The teens' names were not released publicly, but BreakingAC confirmed some details through their obituaries.
M.M. was raised in Bergen County before his family moved to Sea Isle in 2020. He was preparing to graduate Ocean City High School in June 2023.
A.P. was a freshman as part of the Class of 2026, and did a lot of traveling. He recently started playing the guitar and was starting a band with his friends.
Santiago remains in the Atlantic County Justice Facility.
