HOLLIDAYSBURG, Pa. – An Altoona man has been sentenced to six to 20 years in prison for selling drugs that led to the fatal overdose of a young man in his downtown apartment. Timothy James Tombs, 50, pleaded guilty to drug delivery resulting in the death of 28-year-old Philip L. Nicolini. The judge imposed the negotiated sentence on Friday, holding Tombs accountable for his role in Nicolini’s tragedy.
Tombs sold $100 worth of heroin to Nicolini, who ultimately overdosed. An analysis of the unused heroin and Nicolini’s autopsy confirmed his death was caused by the heroin, which was laced with Para-FluoroFentanyl – a substance described as 50 to 100 times more powerful than morphine.
The victim’s father, Philip A. Nicolini, emotionally addressed the court, sharing the impact of his son’s death on the family. Despite their forgiveness towards Tombs, the pain of losing their disabled military veteran son was evident in his father’s words.
Tombs, who has been incarcerated since his arrest, expressed remorse and acknowledged his responsibility. The judge’s sentencing order requires him to undergo evaluation and treatment for drug and alcohol addiction, along with cognitive behavioral therapy.
In addition to the drug delivery resulting in death, Tombs also pleaded guilty to three counts of possession with intent to deliver, one count of criminal use of a communications facility, and one count of possession of a controlled substance. Tombs’ case sheds light on the devastating impact of drug addiction and the need for rehabilitation and support in overcoming this crisis.
The sentencing of Timonthy James Tombs serves as a reminder of the destructive consequences of drug addiction, and the importance of addressing the root causes through rehabilitation and support systems. The impact of his actions on the victim’s family further highlights the need for accountability and justice in drug-related cases, as well as the imperative of rehabilitation for those struggling with addiction.