Police: Drugs Distributed by Pearl River Man Led to Fatal Overdose

A Pearl River man has been charged with the illegal distribution of the drug oxymorphone—a pain reliever—that led to the fatal overdose of a 21-year-old Pearl River man in October of 2011, authorities said.

Craig Oleksowicz, 37, was arrested and charged with a slate of drug offenses, law enforcement officials said today. Oleksowicz faced U.S. Magistrate Judge George A. Yanthis in court Thursday morning.

"As alleged, the defendant was essentially an outlaw pharmacy, and worse, a lethal one," Yanthis said. "The illegal dealers of prescription drugs will not get any easier treatment from this office simply because what they are selling can be legally used when properly prescribed."

Oleksowicz is accused of peddling a slew of drugs—including codeine, methadone and Valium—which led to the 2011 death.

"It was sad for me to see a young man from my own neighborhood in Orangetown die as a result of being illegally sold a prescription narcotic substance," said Orangetown Police Department Chief Kevin Nulty. "The death was very real to me."

Authorities allege Oleksowicz continued to illegally distribute pills after the fatal overdose.

If found guilty, Oleksowicz faces between of 20 years and life in prison, and a fine up to $1 million or twice the gain or loss resulting from the illegal sales.