METUCHEN, NJ—A grand jury in New Brunswick has indicted a Metuchen woman on charges of poisoning a man who was hospitalized, but since has recovered.

Theresa Freis, age 44, allegedly administered “clonazepam or a benzodiazepine or benzodiazepines” to a man who authorities did not identify on May 25 somewhere in Metuchen, according to a statement from the office of Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew Carey.

Clonazepam, more commonly known by the brand-name “Klonopin,” is a tranquilizer used to prevent and treat seizures as well as  panic disorder and other ailments.

Benzodiazepines, also known as “benzos,” are a class of psychoactive drugs that include Clonazepam and Valium.

Freis was arrested and charged on June 17, but was released after posting bail.

The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office (MCPO) did not say how much Freis’ bail was.  The records department at the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Center confirmed that she was not admitted at the county jail facility.

Over the summer, Middlesex County Assistant Prosecutor Vincent Vitale presented evidence and testimony to the grand jury, which met at the County Courthouse in New Brunswick.

The indictment was handed up on August 24, charging Freis with:

  • attempted murder
  • aggravated assault
  • unlawful possession of a weapon
  • possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose
  • possession of a controlled dangerous substance (two counts)

One week later, the MCPO announced the indictment to the public via a news release.

New Brunswick Today obtained the release despite all of our reporters being removed from the MCPO’s media list in February.

The MCPO is withholding the identity of the victim, only saying that he has since recovered after he “became ill and was taken to John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Edison.”

Editor at New Brunswick Today | 732-993-9697 | editor@newbrunswicktoday.com | Website

Charlie is the founder and editor of New Brunswick Today, and the winner of the Awbrey Award for Community-Oriented Local Journalism. He is a proud Rutgers University journalism graduate, a community organizer, and a former independent candidate for mayor of New Brunswick.

Charlie is the founder and editor of New Brunswick Today, and the winner of the Awbrey Award for Community-Oriented Local Journalism. He is a proud Rutgers University journalism graduate, a community organizer, and a former independent candidate for mayor of New Brunswick.