An area man has been charged with strict liability for a drug-induced death and related charges for allegedly supplying a man with the drugs that killed him in 2023, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced on Thursday.

Paul R. Clites, 40, of  Howell Township, has been charged with one count of the first-degree strict liability for a drug-induced death, two counts of third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance (heroin and methamphetamine), one count of third-degree distribution of a controlled dangerous substance (heroin) and three counts of third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute.

The case background …

On Friday, Dec. 22, 2023, at 12:44 p.m., Howell Township police responded to a residence on Westbrook Road on a report of an unresponsive adult male. Upon arrival, officers discovered the victim deceased on the floor of his bedroom.

A joint investigation by members of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the Howell Township Police Department revealed that Clites had been communicating with the victim during the period of time leading up to his death.  An extensive investigation also revealed that this communication culminated with Clites providing drugs to the victim that ultimately caused his death.

Clites remains in custody at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution (MCCI) after being extradited from Pennsylvania, pending proceedings to be held in Monmouth County Superior Court.

The case is assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Joseph Cummings, Director of the Narcotics and Criminal Enterprise Investigation Unit.

— Edited press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office

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