New Jersey drug ring leader gets 15 years behind bars

TOMS RIVER, N.J. (AP) — The leader of a drug ring that sold heroin in New Jersey is heading to prison.

Authorities say 42-year-old Rufus Young was sentenced Wednesday to 15 years behind bars.

Prosecutors say the Asbury Park man admitted to conspiring to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin. Investigators say he conspired with others to distribute heroin and maintained several stash houses used to package, store and sell heroin.

Young is awaiting sentencing in a separate case in which he pleaded guilty to supplying the heroin that killed a 23-year-old Toms River woman.

Young admitted supplying heroin that ultimately made its way to Jamie Caravella, who died in 2013 after an adverse reaction to the drug.

He's scheduled to be sentenced on Friday in that case.