A Little Falls doctor entered a plea of not guilty in response to homicide charges related to the drug overdose death of a Clifton New Jersey man.

The suspect is a 77-year-old male from Little Falls, NJ. According to law enforcement officials, he overprescribed powerful opioids to the victim. Those prescription drugs eventually led to the victim overdosing and dying.

When police officers found the victim, his body was reportedly next to a prescription pill bottle. It is alleged that the suspect prescribed the deadly medication to the victim even after the victim’s mother pleaded with him to stop.

Detectives with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) went undercover and allegedly purchased painkillers from the suspect in exchange for illegal cash payments.

Last month, a grand jury indicted the suspect on multiple criminal charges for strict liability homicide and illegal distribution of prescription drugs.

The suspect’s wife was a receptionist at his doctor’s office in Little Falls, NJ. She also faces criminal charges in the drug case. Moreover, she has been charged with fraud crimes for money laundering, tax evasion, and conspiracy.

For additional information about this case, see the NJ.com article, “N.J. Doctor and Wife Enter Pleas in Opioid Death Case: Report.”