Crime & Safety

Twin Brothers Sold Drugs To Fatal Overdose Victim From Livingston, Police Say

Two brothers from North Jersey have been charged in connection with the death of a Livingston resident.

LIVINGSTON, NJ — Two brothers from North Jersey have been charged in connection with the overdose death of a Livingston resident, authorities announced Monday.

Police officers learned about the death after responding to a home in Livingston on May 31, according to a joint statement from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Livingston Police Department.

Officers arrived to find a 27-year-old man dead at the scene. There was an empty envelope of heroin by his body, authorities said.

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According to prosecutors, police investigators determined that the deceased man bought oxycodone from Erick Peguero, 36, of Paterson, on May 30. He also allegedly purchased heroin from Peguero’s twin brother – Esteven Peguero, 36, of Clifton – on the same day.

The brothers have been charged with first-degree strict liability for drug-induced deaths, distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, distribution of a controlled dangerous substance within 1,000 feet of a school zone, and distribution of a controlled dangerous substance within 500 feet of a public building, prosecutors said.

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