The victim traveled to Camden to purchase heroin and later died of an overdose.
WOODBURY -- A Camden drug dealer was sentenced to 18 years in prison Friday for selling heroin to a Gloucester County man who died of a drug overdose, according to the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office.
Joshua L. Rodriguez, 24, of Camden. (Salem County Correctional Facility)Joshua L. Rodriguez, 24, was convicted on a charge of first-degree strict liability for a drug-induced death following the death of Daniel Chakov, 42.
Witnesses testified that Chakov traveled to Camden to buy heroin from Rodriguez. Chakov died on October 31, 2014, at his parent's home, where he lived.
Rodriguez has remained jailed since his arrest in December 2014. He was convicted in February.
He must serve 85 percent of his term before he is eligible for parole and is subject to five years of parole supervision following his release from prison.
The GCPO has filed similar charges in several overdose death cases in recent years.
"In light of the scourge heroin has caused, law enforcement, in appropriate cases, will continue to pursue dealers who sell lethal doses of this drug," Gloucester County Prosecutor Sean F. Dalton said in a statement following Friday's sentencing.
Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.