South Toms River Woman Indicted for Overdose Death

A South Toms River woman faces the prospect of trial for allegedly causing an overdose death in 2013.

Jeana Gaun, 35, was indicted for drug induced death, a first-degree count, and eight other charges, according to the office of Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato.

She's also charged with a second-degree count of witness tampering, three third-degree counts of terroristic threats, two third-degree charges of resisting arrest, and one third-degree count each of oxycodone distribution and aggravated assault on an officer.

The aggravated assault and resisting charges stem from threats that Ganun is accused of hurling at people involved in the Mills case after making bail, and an alleged attack on South Toms River Patrolman Michael Schneidt.

Eric Mills died May 29, 2013, at Community Medical Center in Toms River, about an hour after he was found unconscious and not breathing in a Baylor Street dwelling by police officers and emergency medical technicians who were called to the address.

Signs of drug use prompted the involvment of the Prosecutor's Major Crimes unit and investigators from the county Sheriff's Department. Their findings linked Ganun to the incident, authorities said.

A critical piece of evidence solidifying charges against Ganun surfaced during an autopsy on May 30, authorities said. The cause of death was listed as negative prescription drug reaction.

"This is the seventeenth individual charged with strict liability in just over a year.  Eleven have already entered guilty pleas and I assure you there will be others," said Coronato.  "Those who cause the death of another by distributing dangerous drugs will pay a steep price for their actions.  My resolve is strengthened with each successful prosecution."

Ganun is in the Ocean County Jail in Toms River. Bail for the drug-induced death charge stands at $110,000. Bail for separate counts of false report to incriminate another, invasion of privacy and endangering the welfare of a child is set at $200,000 cash.