FREEHOLD – A Long Branch man has been charged with the first-degree crime of Strict Liability, among other drug-related charges, in connection with a Drug-Induced Death of a fellow inmate within the Monmouth County Correctional Institution, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey announced Monday.
Alvino Hinton, 47, of Long Branch, was arrested and charged with the overdose death of inmate David Egner, 31, of Toms River, on August 18, 2022. Hinton was charged with first-degree Strict Liability for a Drug-Induced Death, third-degree Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, third-degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance and third-degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with Intent to Distribute.
At approximately 9:05 a.m. on April 17, 2022, officers at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution (MCCI) discovered inmate David Egner non-responsive on the floor of his cell. Medical first aid was immediately rendered and Egner was rushed to a local hospital for treatment, where he was diagnosed as suffering from heroin/fentanyl poisoning. Egner was pronounced deceased later on the same day.
The investigation into Egner’s death by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office, revealed that Hinton had smuggled the drugs into MCCI and distributed the fatal substance to Egner while he was a fellow inmate.
This case has been assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Michael Luciano. Hinton is represented by Paul E. Zager, Esq., of Red Bank.
Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.
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