A former Tuscarora man is in jail after Pennsylvania State Police charged him with providing the drugs that killed a Coaldale woman in December 2021.

Matthew T. Martin, 37, was arraigned earlier this month on a felony count of drug delivery resulting in death and sent to the Schuylkill County Prison in lieu of $25,000 bail.

Police also issued a warrant for Christopher Serina Jr., 43, Lansford, who is accused of selling the drugs.

According to a criminal complaint filed against Martin, troopers were advised at 9:17 p.m. Dec. 23, 2021 that an ambulance was dispatched to the village of Tuscarora for a report of a 33 year-old woman in cardiac arrest, possibly from an overdose.

Medical responders found the woman unconscious at the home where Martin lived

She was pronounced deceased at 10:09 p.m. An autopsy conducted at the Reading Hospital on Dec. 28, 2021 determined the cause of death as acute toxicity by fentanyl and heroin.

Troopers located a small amount of white powder on a round glass table at the home, and seized the woman’s cellphone.

Police spoke to Martin’s father, who said that his son called him to say he believed the woman had overdosed. The father rushed to the house as Martin left in an attempt to find Narcan. The father said he saw the woman lying on the floor, phoned 911 and performed CPR. Martin returned to the home at 10:45 p.m. after not being able to find Narcan.

Under questioning, Martin told police that he and the woman purchased heroin from Serina near a Tamaqua convenience store at 4:30 p.m. that day. They returned to Martin’s house to use the drugs.

When the woman wanted more drugs, they returned to Tamaqua and picked up Serina at a vape shop. They drove Serina to Railroad Street, gave him money, and he gave them drugs in an unmarked plastic bag. The woman and Martin returned to Tuscarora at 10 a.m. and snorted the heroin. Martin told police that when he awoke, the woman was unconscious. He tried to find Narcan in the home, and when he couldn’t, he told police that he administered CPR, called his father and left the home to find Narcan.

Martin told troopers that the second time the two purchased the heroin that day, it had a “chunkier” consistency.

Police later interviewed Serina, who recalled getting heroin for Martin on the day the woman died. He said he had provided “dope” to Martin before but didn’t know Martin would be giving it to the woman.

Police also charged Martin with possession with intent to deliver, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Serina is wanted on charges of possession with intent to deliver, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.