Eastampton Man Charged in 2012 Drowning Death of Mount Holly Man

An Eastampton man has been indicted in connection with the drowning death of a Mount Holly man in 2012, Burlington County Prosecutor Robert D. Bernardi announced Tuesday afternoon.

Eric D. Thomas, 26, was indicted for murder in the first degree and third degree endangering an injured victim for the death of Lemuel Reyes Jr., 29, Bernardi said.

The two men allegedly engaged in a fight that began at the intersection of Mill and Pine streets in Mount Holly just after midnight on Dec. 15, 2012. Bernardi said that fight spilled into the Rancocas Creek, where Thomas allegedly held Reyes under water, causing his death.

An autopsy later revealed the cause of death to be drowning, Bernardi said.

Thomas remains in Burlington County Jail on $100,000 bail with no 10 percent option.