Mount Holly woman gets prison term for selling drugs to OD victim

MOUNT HOLLY - A Mount Holly woman has received an 11-year prison term in connection with a fatal overdose.

Linda Naulty, 54, was accused of selling drugs to Paul Cronrath IV, a 29-year-old Lumberton man who overdosed in his bedroom in February 2021.

Naulty had multiple doses of fentanyl and nearly $1,400 when taken into custody, according to the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office.

"Toxicology tests confirmed that the drugs found in Cronrath’s bedroom were identical to the ones found on Naulty’s person at the time of her arrest," the prosecutor's office said Monday.

Cronrath, a 2010 graduate of Rancocas Valley High School graduate, "was a sweet and kind person who had a passion for helping others," an obituary said.

"He loved music and played both the guitar and piano," it said, noting Cronrath also played baseball, football and basketball "and was a big supporter of Duke University basketball as well as the Philadelphia 76ers and Eagles."

"He also enjoyed spending the day at the racetrack," it noted."

Naulty admitted guilt in November to a homicide charge of strict liability for drug-induced death. She also pleaded guilty to possessing a drug with the intent to distribute.

Naulty received an eight-year term for the drug-death charge, with no parole eligiblity for more than 6½ years. A three-year term for the drug-possession offense is to be served consecutively.

Superior Court Judge Gerard H. Breland sentenced Naulty on Friday.

Jim Walsh covers public safety, economic development and other beats for the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal.

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This article originally appeared on Burlington County Times: Linda Naulty was accused of selling deadly drugs to Paul Cronrath IV