GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, N.J. (1010 WINS) -- A New Jersey man forced his 12-year-old nephew to clean his drug lab before the boy fatally overdosed on fentanyl, prosecutors said this week as they announced charges against him.
The boy was found unresponsive on his school bus in Gloucester Township on Jan. 24. Life-saving measures were performed but he ultimately died at a hospital on Feb. 1, the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office said.
An autopsy revealed the boy overdosed on fentanyl, a potent painkiller, according to prosecutors.
Authorities allege that the child's 35-year-old uncle, Troy Nokes, manufactured fentanyl at a Blackwood home on the weekend before his nephew’s death, and that he allegedly directed the boy to “clean paraphernalia that contained fentanyl.” The boy was not wearing gloves at the time, witnesses told investigators.
Nokes was hit with over two dozen charges Monday, including first-degree aggravated manslaughter, second-degree employing a juvenile in a drug distribution scheme, and six counts of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child. He also faces charges that include everything from witness tampering to aggravated assault.
Joanna Johnson was also charged with tampering with evidence and hindering apprehension of Nokes, prosecutors said. The defendants' relationship isn't clear.
Nokes and Johnson were arrested by U.S. Marshals and were being held at Camden County Correctional Facility.
Prosecutors said their investigation is ongoing and asked anyone with information to contact Camden County Prosecutor’s Office Det. Lateasha Jones at (856) 225-8656 or Gloucester Township Police Det. Mark Grodzielanek at 856-374-5718.
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