EHT Man Pleads Guilty to 2017 Drug-induced Death of a Margate Woman
A man from Egg Harbor Township pleaded guilty Tuesday in connection to the drug-induced death of a woman from Margate last summer.
The Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office says 30-year-old Philip Eldred pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of first degree strict liability drug induced death of Caroline Boothby on August 2, 2017; first degree operating CDS manufacturing facility; and second degree unlawful possession of a handgun.
Authorities say Eldred was indicted this past February along with nine other people who are connected to 41-year-old George Stokes, who was also indicted on 29 charges, including three counts of first degree drug induced death strict liability homicide for the deaths of 29-year-old Hector Santos, 33-year-old William S. Ang, and 22-year-old Caroline Boothby.
The Prosecutor's Office says in a press release,
Individual investigations into each of the three drug related deaths was undertaken by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Drug Related Death Squad. After months of investigation, it was concluded that the fatal drugs in each case—specifically, fentanyl—were distributed by George Stokes as part of a narcotics trafficking operation he led in Atlantic City throughout 2017. It was also discovered that he maintained multiple CDS manufacturing premises in Atlantic City and Hamilton Township for the production and packaging of the drugs, which included heroin and fentanyl. Stokes employed as many as ten individuals in his operation, some of whom are also charged with playing a role in distributing the fatal drugs.
In a press release connected to this case from February, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner said, "drug dealers should be aware that if they sell drugs that cause the deaths of others, they will be be charged with murder."
Eldred’s sentencing is scheduled for September 28th.