Death Investigation Leads to Drug Charges for Three OC Men

OCEAN CITY –– County Prosecutor Robert L. Taylor and Ocean City Chief of Police Robert Blevin reported Nov. 19 the culmination of a narcotics investigation by the members of the Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force and Ocean City Police Department.
While investigating the sudden death of Daniel Kennedy, 35, of the 1200 block of Haven Avenue, information was developed to believe that the death might have been drug related.
Further information was developed leading to the execution of a narcotics search warrant during the evening hours on Nov. 17.
Members of the Narcotics Task Force, Ocean City Police Department and the county Regional SWAT Team executed the search warrant at 715 8th Street, Apartment D.
During the execution of the warrant, over $500 in cash and suspected heroin was seized.
As a result of the investigation, the following individuals, all residents of Ocean City, were arrested and charged as follows:
• Kenneth Scarlet, 55, was charged with the possession of heroin, possession with the intent to distribute heroin, and the distribution of heroin. His bail was set at $100,000, and he was lodged in county jail.
• Nelson Cortez, 23, was charged with the possession of heroin, possession with the intent to distribute heroin, and conspiring to distribute heroin. His bail was set at $100,000, and he was lodged in county jail.
• Angelo Sye, 45, was charged with conspiring to distribute heroin. He was released on his own recognizance.
The cause and manner of Kennedy’s death are pending autopsy and toxicology results by the New Jersey Regional Medical Examiner’s Office and when determined will be reviewed for potential additional charges to include strict liability for a drug induced death, a first-degree crime.
Persons convicted of first-degree crimes may be sentenced to between 10 and 20 years in New Jersey State Prison.