Brick Men Charged With Drug Offenses Following Overdose Death Investigation

Roderick Seward (Photo: Ocean County Jail)

An investigation into the death of 27-year-old Brick Township woman earlier this week has led to authorities charging two township men with drug offenses, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office announced Tuesday.

Roderick Seward, 30, and Santino Giunta, 29, both of Brick, were arrested Tuesday following the investigation into the woman’s death, which was reported Jan. 26, 2026.

Brick police received a 911 call Monday in reference to an unconscious female, the prosecutor’s office said in a statement. Upon arrival, officers discovered the body of the victim, already deceased from an apparent drug overdose. A subsequent investigation by township and county detectives “revealed that Seward and Giunta had supplied cocaine to the victim,” the statement said. The victim’s name was not disclosed.

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Detectives set up stationary and mobile surveillance on Roderick and Seward on Monday before Brick police officers effectuated a motor vehicle stop on a vehicle operated by Seward. He was taken into custody at the scene without incident and transported to the Ocean County Jail where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing. Shortly thereafter, officers conducted a motor vehicle stop on a vehicle operated by Giunta. He was also taken into custody without incident and served with the charge via complaint-summons pending an upcoming first appearance in Ocean County Superior Court. He was not brought to the jail.

Following both arrests, a court-authorized search warrant was executed at Seward’s residence, where detectives allegedly seized a quantity of suspected cocaine and other white-powdery substances, a digital scale, as well as items of packaging materials related to the distribution of illegal narcotics.

Seward was charged with possession of less than a half-ounce of cocaine intent to distribute; possession of cocaine; and possession of drug paraphernalia. Giunta was charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

“This investigation remains active and ongoing, and additional charges may be forthcoming,” Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said.