Crime & Safety

Suspected Freehold Drug Dealer Charged in Toms River Woman's Death

Three men charged in 2013 death of Toms River woman; one still at large

Three suspected drug dealers – one of whom is still at large – have been charged in the 2013 death of a 23-year-old Toms River woman.

Rufus A. Young, 41, of Freehold, Pedro A. Valentin Jr., 23, of Perth Amboy, and Paul E. Robinson, 24, of Toms River, face charges in the drug overdose death of Jamie Caravella.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Robinson, the Toms River resident, who has not yet been taken into custody, according to Al Della Fave, spokesman for the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office.

The charges against the three men stem from an investigation which began on Feb. 6, 2013 at approximately 5:07 a.m. when the Toms River Police Department received a 911 telephone call advising of an unresponsive female at a Pine Crest Drive, a joint statement from Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph Coronato and Toms River Police Chief Mitch Little said. Officer Ronald Bayer arrived at the location to find Caravella lying on the floor of a bedroom in the residence not breathing and with no pulse. Empty bags of heroin and a needle were found near Caravella.

Caravella was pronounced dead 20 minutes later after paramedics arrived on scene. An autopsy performed the following day revealed the cause of death as a heroin overdose.

Young, Valentin, and Robinson all face charges of first degree drug induced death and second degree manslaughter.

Young was served by Ocean County Prosecutor's Office Detective John Carroll and Toms River Ptl. Andy Chenchirk with his arrest warrant Tuesday in the Monmouth County Correctional Facility, Freehold, where he has been incarcerated since March 27 on violations of Federal Narcotic charges.

Valentin was arrested Tuesday with the help of the Perth Amboy Special Investigations Bureau, at approximately 9:30 p.m. on Gordon Street in Perth Amboy.

Robinson remains at large and is actively being sought by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office. Anyone with information regarding Robinson’s whereabouts is asked to contact Ocean County Prosecutor Detective John Carroll at 732-929-2027.

Bail for all three men has been set at $200,000 cash. The case is being prosecuted by Ocean County Senior Assistant Prosecutor Michael R. Weatherstone.


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