Drug Dealer Gets 15 Years After Teens’ Fentanyl Deaths

ByEthan Pineridge

A 27-year-old New Jersey man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for selling fentanyl-laced pills that caused the deaths of two teenagers in 2022. Elias Santiago of Egg Harbor Township must serve 85% of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole under the state’s No Early Release Act, following his guilty plea to two counts of strict liability drug-induced death.

Atlantic County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey J. Waldman handed down the sentence on March 10, 2025, marking the conclusion of a case that highlights the devastating impact of fentanyl in communities across the region. The concurrent 15-year sentences reflect the gravity of each death caused by Santiago’s actions.

Tragic Discovery Leads to Multi-State Investigation

The case began on August 17, 2022, when a father discovered his 14-year-old son (identified in court documents as A.P.) and the teen’s 17-year-old friend (M.M.) unresponsive at their home in Chester County, Pennsylvania. According to NBC Philadelphia, both teenagers were rushed to a Delaware hospital where they were pronounced dead.

Autopsies determined both teens died from fentanyl ingestion. Pennsylvania State Police detectives found additional pills in a backpack in the bedroom where the boys were located, which testing later confirmed contained both fentanyl and methamphetamine.

The investigation revealed that the 17-year-old had purchased what appeared to be Percocet pills from Santiago in Sea Isle City, New Jersey, just one day before the teens’ deaths. This discovery prompted Pennsylvania authorities to request assistance from the New Jersey State Police, initiating a cross-state effort to identify the source of the deadly drugs.

Digital Trail Points to “BaldysRUS”

During their investigation, detectives examined the teenager’s phone and uncovered crucial evidence linking Santiago to the fatal pills. According to the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, Santiago operated a group on the encrypted messaging platform Telegram called “BaldysRUS,” which displayed pictures, videos, and prices of controlled dangerous substances available for sale.

This digital footprint helped authorities establish Santiago’s role as a drug distributor. On September 22, 2022, New Jersey State Police executed a search warrant at Santiago’s home in Egg Harbor City, where they discovered counterfeit pills and packaging material similar to those found in the deceased teen’s backpack.

In his guilty plea entered on December 16, 2024, Santiago admitted to selling pills disguised as Percocet that were actually fentanyl and methamphetamine. He also acknowledged that these pills directly caused the deaths of the two teenagers.

Officials Emphasize Accountability Under Strict Liability Law

“The defendant sold deadly, illegal drugs disguised as Percocet, leading directly to the overdose deaths of two teenagers,” said Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin in a statement. “This case highlights the tragic consequences when callous drug dealers sell their dangerous products to unsuspecting users, who don’t even know what they’re really getting.”

New Jersey’s strict liability statute, enacted as part of the Comprehensive Drug Reform Act of 1987, makes it a first-degree crime to unlawfully distribute a controlled dangerous substance that results in death. The law imposes accountability regardless of whether the user voluntarily ingested the substance and applies to everyone in the drug distribution chain.

“New Jersey’s strict-liability statute was enacted precisely to hold accountable the drug dealers who endanger lives as they profit by selling lethal drugs to unsuspecting buyers,” said Division of Criminal Justice Director Theresa L. Hilton.

Cross-Border Cooperation Highlighted

The case demonstrated effective collaboration between law enforcement agencies across state lines. Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, emphasized the moral imperative driving such investigations: “Holding those who distribute these lethal substances accountable is not just a matter of law enforcement—it’s a moral obligation.”

His Pennsylvania counterpart, Colonel Christopher Paris, Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police, echoed this sentiment, stating, “We will not let any boundary or obstacle stop us from holding drug dealers accountable for their actions.”

Deputy Attorney General Evgeniya Sitnikova and Assistant Attorney General Erik Daab prosecuted the case for the Division of Criminal Justice, with assistance from the Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office.

As fentanyl continues to claim lives across the nation, this case serves as a stark reminder of both the lethal nature of counterfeit pills and the serious legal consequences facing those who distribute them.

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