Ocean County Grand Jury Indicts Two In Recent Heroin Deaths

An Ocean County Grand Jury has indicted two men in connection with the heroin deaths of a Barnegat man and Lacey man earlier this year, Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato said.

“The 62 [drug] overdose deaths in Ocean County over the last six months demands I send a strong message to these harbingers of death, the heroin dealers,” Coronato said. “My office will be relentless in tracking down and prosecuting dealers who choose to profit by ignoring the tragic consequences of their actions.”

Rasan S. McGee, 22, Atlantic City, is charged with the April 19 death of Steven Janson, 26, in Barnegat. Kenneth W. Staunton, 33, is charged with the Jan. 17 death of Raymond Farino, 27, in Lacey Township.

McGee was indicted on charges of first degree drug-induced death, second degree manslaughter, two counts of third degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession with intent to distribute CDS and fourth degree resisting arrest, according to the indictment.

McGee’s charges stem from an investigation that began on April 19 with the death of Stafford Township resident Steven Janson of Stafford Township, Coronato said.

Barnegat Police responded to the Starboard Avenue area of Barnegat at 2:15 p.m. that day, on a report of an unresponsive white male inside a red Hyundai Genesis parked across the street from 26 Starboard Avenue. The man was later identified as Janson.

Police found four bags used for heroin during a search of the car. The investigation later found that Janson had driven to Atlantic City on April 18 and purchased heroin from an unidentified male, Coronato said.

The operation resulted in the arrest of McGee, also known as "Money”. Detectives recovered 50 bags of heroin stamped “STINGRAY” from McGee and additional investigative evidence that would connect McGee to Steven Janson’s overdose death, he said.

McGee was arrested after a cooperative investigation involving detectives from the Atlantic City Violent Crimes Task Force, comprised of members the Division of Criminal Justice, New Jersey State Police, Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, Atlantic County Sheriff’s Department, Atlantic City Police Department, New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, New Jersey Department of Parole, along with help from the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Unit, the Special Operations Group, the High Tech Crimes Unit and members of the Barnegat Police Department, Coronato said.

Kenneth W. Staunton’s charges stem from an investigation which began on January 6 regarding his heroin dealing activities. At that time detectives were investigating Staunton’s area of operation, clients, and his stamped product, he said.

"This would all prove significant in linking Staunton to Raymond Farino’s overdose death," Coronato said.

Lacey Township police responded to a report of a drug overdoes at 2 p.m. on Jan. 16 at 823 Harrison Avenue in Forked River. They found Farino on the floor of the dining room. He was not breathing and had no pulse.
He was taken to Community Medical Center in Toms River, where he was pronounced dead, according to the indictment.

Detectives found located several wax paper folds containing white powder and stamped “IL CAPO” in green letters on Farino. The products were later linked to Staunton, Coronato said.

Staunton was indicted on a count of first degree drug-induced death, second degree manslaughter, two counts of third degree possession of CDS, two counts of third degree possession of CDS with intent to distribute and third degree distribution of CDS, Coronato said.

McGee and Staunton are both lodged in the Ocean County Jail in lieu of  $250,000, with no ten percent option.