EHT Man Sentenced to Prison for 2017 Death of Margate Woman

30-year-old Philip Eldred of Egg Harbor Township has been sentenced to state prison in connection to the 2017 drug-induced death of a woman from Margate.

Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner says Eldred was sentenced on the following charges:

• One count of first degree Strict Liability Drug Induced death of Caroline Boothby on August 2, 2017 – 7 years NJSP under No Early Release Act (85%)
• First degree Operating CDS Manufacturing Facility – 7 years NJSP
• Second degree Unlawful Possession of a Handgun – 7 years NJSP

In July, Eldred, pleaded guilty to the above charges.

Tyner's office says Eldred was indicted in February along with nine other people who are connected to 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 Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office, in a press release, says

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.