BERKELEY — A Monmouth County man has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in connection with a fatal drug overdose that occurred in Berkeley Township in 2023, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced Monday.
James Liu, 32, of Ocean Township, entered the plea on Aug. 4, admitting responsibility for the death of a 33-year-old man who died of a fentanyl overdose on Dec. 26, 2023. Liu is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 5, 2025, when prosecutors will recommend a seven-year prison term under the No Early Release Act.
Police responded to a Berkeley Township residence on the day of the incident and found the victim deceased. An investigation by multiple agencies revealed that Liu had supplied heroin/fentanyl to the victim.
Detectives arrested Liu two days later after observing him near his home. He was originally charged with drug possession and distribution offenses. Toxicology results later confirmed fentanyl as the cause of death, leading to a charge of strict liability for a drug-induced death on Feb. 15, 2024.
Liu surrendered to authorities five days later and was released under New Jersey’s bail reform guidelines.
Prosecutor Billhimer credited Assistant Prosecutor Stephen Burke and the coordinated efforts of numerous law enforcement agencies for securing the guilty plea.
