Sheriff's Office Detectives Make Arrest On Manslaughter Case Involving Heroin Distribution

Steven Walter Matzeit (28 Years Old) arrested by Sheriff's Office Detectives for Manslaughter involving Heroin

On September 3, 2014 Deputies from the Caroline County Sheriff's Office, Patrol Division, responded to a residence in the 7000 block of Ganeys Wharf Road, Preston, Maryland, for a cardiac arrest, which resulted in the death of Eric Pattison Matzeit (31 years old). While on scene, it was learned Eric Matzeit had died from a suspected Heroin overdose. Due to details initially learned by Deputies of the Patrol Division, Detectives from the Caroline County Sheriff's Office, Criminal Investigation Division were called to the scene and took over the investigation. Detective Corporal J. Reibly was assigned lead investigator in this case.

Contact was made on scene with family members, to include Steven Walter Matzeit (brother of the deceased). During the course of those interviews, Detectives learned that Steven had traveled to Seaford, DE in the early morning hours, around 1:00 AM, and purchased an amount of Heroin from an unknown dealer.

Steven then traveled back to the Ganeys Wharf Road residence where they stayed the remainder of the evening. Several hours later, Steven traded his brother (Deceased - Eric Matzeit) a quantity of Heroin he had just purchased in Seaford for a prescription of Suboxone. Shortly after that transaction, 911 was called for the cardiac arrest (possible overdose).

A search of the residence was conducted in which numerous baggies of Heroin, Suboxone, and Marijuana were located inside Steven's bedroom. The baggies of Heroin located in Steven's bedroom matched the baggies his brother (now deceased) was found with.

The evidence seized was later sent to the crime lab for analysis and found to have the drug "Fentanyl" mixed with the Heroin.The Medical Examiner's Office found an amount of Fentanyl in the deceased blood as well.

On November 10, 2014, Caroline County States Attorney Johnathan Newell presented the case to the Caroline County Grand Jury. As a result, a Grand Jury indictment was issued for Steven Matzeit, charging him with thefollowing:

• Manslaughter (10 year max sentence)

• Distribution of Heroin (20 year max sentence)

• Possession of Heroin with Intent to Distribute (20 year maxsentence)

• Possession of Heroin administration equipment (4 year maxsentence)

• 2 Counts of Possession of Heroin (4 year max sentence)

On November 14, 2014, Detective Corporal J. Reibly took custody of Steven Matzeit at his residence without incident and transported him to the Caroline County Detention Center where he was held on NO BOND pending a hearing with the Caroline County Circuit Court.

#carolinecountysheriffsoffice

#manslaughter

#heroin