An Atlantic County man was sentenced to 15 years in prison for his role in providing fentanyl that led to the fatal overdoses of two teenagers. Elias Santiago, 27, of Egg Harbor Township, was sentenced on March 10, 2025, by Atlantic County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey J. Waldman. Santiago was convicted of two counts of strict liability drug-induced death after he sold what appeared to be Percocet pills, but which were laced with fentanyl and methamphetamine, causing the deaths of 14-year-old A.P. and 17-year-old M.M.
The sentence, which will be served concurrently, mandates that Santiago serve 85% of his 15-year term before becoming eligible for parole under New Jersey’s No Early Release Act (N.E.R.A.). Santiago had pleaded guilty on December 16, 2024, acknowledging his role in the tragedy.
A Tragic Loss
Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin emphasized the devastating impact of Santiago’s actions, underscoring the risks associated with illegal drugs disguised as prescription medications. “The defendant sold deadly, illegal drugs disguised as Percocet, leading directly to the overdose deaths of two teenagers,” Platkin said. “This case highlights the tragic consequences when callous drug dealers sell their dangerous products to unsuspecting users, who don’t even know what they’re really getting.”
Santiago’s arrest followed an investigation into the deaths of A.P. and M.M. On August 17, 2022, both teens were found unresponsive at A.P.’s home in Chester County, Pennsylvania. Despite being rushed to a hospital, they were pronounced dead. Autopsies confirmed that both had died from fentanyl ingestion.
Pennsylvania State Police, working in collaboration with New Jersey authorities, launched an investigation into the source of the drugs. Detectives traced the pills found in the teens’ possession to Santiago, who had sold the drugs to M.M. on August 16, 2022, in Sea Isle City, New Jersey. Authorities discovered that Santiago operated an encrypted messaging platform called “BaldysRUS,” where he advertised controlled substances for sale.
Further investigation led New Jersey State Police to Santiago’s residence in Egg Harbor Township, where they found counterfeit pills and packaging materials matching those found in M.M.’s backpack. Santiago admitted to selling the lethal fentanyl-laced pills, which directly contributed to the deaths of the two teens.
Holding Drug Dealers Accountable
“The sentencing of this individual serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of the fentanyl epidemic,” said Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “Two young lives were tragically lost due to the reckless actions of someone who prioritized profit over human life.”
The investigation also received support from the Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office, with Deputy Attorney General Evgeniya Sitnikova and Assistant Attorney General Erik Daab handling the prosecution for the Division of Criminal Justice.
Stricter Laws to Combat Drug Dealers
New Jersey’s Comprehensive Drug Reform Act of 1987 includes provisions that hold drug dealers accountable for overdose deaths, making it a first-degree crime to unlawfully distribute a controlled dangerous substance that results in death. Under this law, dealers cannot claim that the drug user’s voluntary ingestion of the substance contributes to their death.
Colonel Christopher Paris, Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police, also praised the partnership between state and federal authorities, stressing that no boundary or obstacle would stop them from holding drug dealers accountable.
This case serves as a powerful reminder of the deadly risks associated with the fentanyl crisis, and the commitment of law enforcement to seek justice for victims and their families.
