NJ man pleads guilty to giving Ambien to kids during ‘sleepover’

A Woodbury man pleaded guilty Tuesday to giving the sleep medication Ambien to two minors during a "sleepover," Gloucester County authorities said.

Curtis M. Campbell, 45, faces jail time after he acknowledged giving the sleep medication to two children, both under the age of 18, on the evening of Jan. 21, 2014.

"Campbell acknowledged he knew Ambien was a product to be administered by prescription and that there was no doctor’s prescription for that medication for either child," the prosecutor's office said in a statement.

Authorities say Assistant Gloucester County Prosecutor Margaret Cipparrone has negotiated a plea deal for Campbell recommending that he be sentenced to two consecutive six-year sentences in a New Jersey state prison. In addition, he will be prohibited from having any contact with the children involved. In exchanged for the deal, the other counts listed in the indictment will be dropped when Campbell is sentenced.

"Superior Court Judge Robert P. Becker accepted the guilty pleas and set a tentative May 27 sentencing date, which may change depending on a medical procedure Campbell said he expects to have," the prosecutor's press release stated.

Toniann Antonelli is the digital managing editor for news at NJ 101.5. Reach her at toniann.antonelli@townsquaremedia.com, or on Twitter @ToniRadio1015.