A Howell man has been charged in connection with supplying another Howell resident the drugs that killed him in 2023, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced on Thursday.

On Friday, December 22, 2023, at approximately 12:44 p.m., members of the Howell Township Police Department responded to a residence on Westbrook Road for an unresponsive adult male. Upon arrival, officers discovered the victim deceased on the floor of his bedroom.

A joint investigation by members of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the Howell Township Police Department revealed that Paul R. Clites, 40, of Howell Township, had been communicating with the victim during the period of time leading up to his death. An extensive investigation also revealed that this communication culminated with Clites providing drugs to the victim that ultimately caused his death.

Clites was charged with one count of first-degree Strict Liability for a Drug-Induced Death, two counts of third degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (Heroin and Methamphetamine), one count of third degree Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (Heroin) and three counts of third degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with Intent to Distribute.

Clites remains in custody at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution after being extradited from Pennsylvania, pending proceedings to be held in Monmouth County Superior Court.