Leonard Hicks, 37, admitted he sold heroin to a 26-year-old Marlton victim who was discovered dead in his apartment on Nov. 29, 2015.
The following information is on file with the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office:
Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced that a Sicklerville drug dealer pled guilty to homicide in Superior Court this week for causing the death of a customer who bought heroin from him in November 2015 that was laced with fentanyl.
According to officials, Leonard Hicks, 37, admitted before the Hon. Terrence R. Cook that he sold heroin to a 26-year-old victim, who was discovered dead inside his apartment by Evesham Township police officers responding to a call from a friend to conduct a wellness check on Nov. 29, 2015.
Under the terms of an agreement with the prosecutor’s office, officials say Hicks pled guilty to “Strict Liability for Drug-Induced Death (First Degree)” in exchange for a 10-year sentence in New Jersey state prison.
Under the state’s No Early Release Act, officials say Hicks must serve 85 percent of the sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
Sentencing was set for July 20. Hicks remains free on $200,000 bail.
According to officials, the investigation revealed that Hicks delivered the heroin to the victim’s apartment and was paid $200 for the drugs. Toxicology tests ordered by Burlington County Medical Examiner Dr. Ian Hood revealed that heroin and fentanyl caused the fatal overdose, according to officials.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Jeremy Lackey. The investigation was conducted by detectives from the Evesham Township Police (NJ) Department and Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office.
The lead investigator was Evesham Township Police Det. Justin Graff, who has since been promoted to lieutenant.
