Toms River, NJ – With the start of the busy summer travel and Prom season looming, Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato today announced the continuation of its’ annual countywide DWI checkpoint program.  The program consists of staging numerous checkpoints throughout Ocean County.  The program’s design creates a force multiplier by regionalizing and supplementing local DWI enforcement.  The program will also conduct DWI enforcement patrols throughout the county.  In making his announcement, Prosecutor Coronato reminded drivers that an extra measure of caution and not operating under the influence can prevent tragedy.

Prosecutor Coronato stated, “The tremendous added volume of summer shore traffic and all our area High Schools hosting Senior Proms calls for increased vigilance by law enforcement, and that will be the focus over the coming months to keep motorists safe.  We ask that drivers do their part by driving responsibly and making smart choices behind the wheel every day of the year.”

While inattentive and aggressive drivers are always targets of law enforcements’ regular patrols, the purpose of these efforts is to detect, educate, deter, arrest, and vigorously prosecute impaired drivers.  The program targets those under the influence of alcohol, but in response to Ocean County’s drug crisis also utilizes an addition of two Drug Recognition Experts at each check point to detect those under the influence of narcotics.  The county also oversees a county wide call out system for DRE’s to respond and assist agencies in conducting evaluations of subjects suspected to be operating a motor vehicle under the influence of narcotics.

Each year impaired drivers are responsible for about a third of the deaths occurring on Ocean County roadways.  Last year Ocean County had 38 fatalities on our roadways.  Though our county has moved from second highest in the state for fatalities from a year ago, to now ranking fifth out of the 21 counties there is no cause for celebration.  Even one fatality is too many.

The checkpoint program, which is funded in part by the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety, will be conducted by local police agencies in conjunction with Detectives from the Prosecutor’s Office and Sheriff’s Department K-9 Unit focusing on both intoxicated and drug impaired drivers.  The program is operated/coordinated by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Vehicular Homicide Unit under the direction of Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Michael Weatherstone.

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Defendant Matthew Ackerman, 25, of Little Egg Harbor was sentenced today before Judge Rochelle Gizinski, J.S.C., on the charge of 2nd degree Sexual Assault to 5 years in New Jersey State Prison, No Early Release Act, Parole Supervision for Life, Megan’s Registration and Nicole’s Law (No contact with victim). The State had requested 10 years in New Jersey State Prison (NERA).

The sentencing stems from Ackerman’s October 2015 guilty plea to the December 2014 Sexual Assault in Little Egg Harbor of a 6 year old female. The case was investigated by Ocean Township Police Department Det. Risden and Ocean County Prosecutor’s Special Victims Unit Det. Lindsay Woodfield. Debra Giordano of OCPO’s Victim Services Unit assisted the family throughout. Senior Assistant Prosecutor Terry Ann Linardakis prosecuted the case.

Matthew Andrew Ackerman

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Fifteen years ago, on April 3, 2001, the body of Gabrielle Mueller, 31, was discovered in a wooded area off Salem Street in Lakewood, NJ. This area is in close proximity to the Lakewood Industrial Park.

Gabrielle Mueller resided in Toms River with her two children. Gabrielle was last seen alive during the evening hours of Sunday, April 1, 2001. The following morning, Monday April 2, 2001, the Toms River Police Department was contacted and she was reported as a Missing Person. A day later her body was tragically discovered in Lakewood at the above described location. Her vehicle, a blue Toyota Corolla, was also unaccounted for at that time, but was located in Lakewood the day after her body was discovered. The subsequent autopsy revealed that the she died as a result of Strangulation and her death classified as a Homicide.

To date though OCPO and OC Law Enforcement have not developed any significant clues pointing to the individual(s) responsible for her death, we will never stop seeking justice for Gabrielle and her loved ones. OCPO’s Cold Case Unit investigators serve as advocates for victims in unsolved cases regardless of how much time has passed, working to bring peace to the loved ones of an individual who was senselessly killed or is missing. Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Major Crime Unit at 732-929-4760 or Det. Sgt. Greg Staffordsmith of the Lakewood Township Police Department, Detective Bureau at 732-363-0200, ext. 5318.

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During the week of Monday, April 18, 2016, Detective John M. Argento of the Megan’s Law Unit of the Special Investigations Bureau of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, along with assistance from Patrolman Gary Schaal of the Plumsted Township Police Department, opened an investigation into Wayne F. Estey, Jr., 47, of New Egypt for the third (3rd) degree crime of failure to register pursuant to Megan’s Law. The crime date is alleged to have occurred on or about Thursday April 21, 2016. Registrants are required by New Jersey state law to either register annually or every ninety (90) days with the police department of the municipality in which they reside and when they change addresses, employment and schooling. The investigation revealed that Estey failed to register out properly with the Plumsted Township Police Department.

On Thursday (4/21), the Honorable Wendel E. Daniels, P.J.Cr., approved the signing of the complaint against Estey for the third (3rd) degree crime of failure to register, setting bail at $25,000 no 10%, as presented by Assistant Ocean County Prosecutor Ehsan F. Chowdhry.

On Friday (4/22), Estey was found in Cream Ridge and was arrested without incident by OCPO Detectives John M. Argento, Brant E. Uricks and Plumsted PD Patrolman Gary Schaal. Estey was processed and transferred to the Ocean County Justice Facility in default of the above bail. The third (3rd) degree crime of failure to register carries a maximum potential punishment of five (5) years in New Jersey State Prison with up to a $15,000 fine.

Anyone with relevant information should contact Detective John M. Argento at (732) 929-2027 Ext. 2903. The information may be given anonymously. At this time there is no information on whether the defendant has an attorney. This charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty or found guilty in a court of law.

Wayne Francis Estey, Jr.

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MESSAGE TO THE AWARD RECIPIENTS FROM PROSECUTOR JOSEPH D. CORONATO

This is a good day – this is your day – a day you will always remember.

An award represents recognition for something very special that you and you alone were able to accomplish. We should never underestimate the importance of recognizing someone even for the smallest achievement or accomplishment.

Always remember, life is what you make it – and as the recipients of these awards you have already shown us that whatever you put your mind to you can accomplish. It’s not always the monumental accomplishments that make people notice us, sometimes it is the tiny little things that make you shine and be recognized.

I quote Ralph Waldo Emerson: “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment”.

2016 AWARD RECIPIENTS

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On April 26, 2016, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Special Victims Unit Det. Stephanie Bayha, along with Lakewood Police Department Det. Steve Kelusak and Officer Eduardo Vega, arrested ANTONIO AGUILAR, 41, of Lakewood, on charges of Aggravated Sexual Assault, Sexual Assault, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child.

The case was initiated when the 11-year-old female victim reported to her teacher that she was sexually assaulted by the suspect numerous times. The investigation conducted by the above partnering agencies, with assistance from Division of Child Protection & Permanency Caseworker Juan Barrera, Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Crime Scene Investigation Unit Det. Mike Senger and Ocean County Prosecutor Sgt. Jason Steele alleges that the assaults by Aguilar have taken place over a multiple year period.

The Honorable Superior Court Judge Rochelle Gizinski, J.S.C., set bail for the defendant at $250,000 with no 10 % and ordered a Nicole’s Law/No Contact Order on behalf of the victim. He is lodged in the Ocean County Jail in default of bail.

The media and public are reminded that criminal charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

ANTONIO AGUILAR

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Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato, Toms River Township Police Chief Mitch Little and Lakewood Police Chief Robert Lawson, in a great cooperative effort by the three agencies, announced the arrest of Robert Clayton, 35, of Pittsburgh, PA, charging him with Aggravated Sexual Assault, Sexual Assault, Luring, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child.

The arrest on Thursday (5/5/16) by Ocean County Prosecutor’s Special Victims Unit Det. Stephanie Bayha and Toms River PD Special Victims Unit Det. Jennifer Grob stems from their investigation into the alleged victimization of an 11 year old female. The partnering detectives, with assistance from OCPO Major Crimes Det. John Murphy, Lakewood PD Det. Lynn Miller and OCPO High Tech Crimes Unit Det. John Dotto, alleges that after the victim met the defendant via social media, Clayton drove to the victim’s residence on Saturday (5/1/16), picked her up and took her to an Ocean County hotel.

On Tuesday (5/3/16), the investigation led to information that the victim was sexually assaulted by Clayton while at the hotel. The victim was unable to identify the hotel, but was able to provide details about the defendant’s appearance, the vehicle he was driving and information about his social media accounts. A canvas of local hotels led to the identity of the hotel where the alleged assault took place. Sgt. David Deleeuw and Det. Matthew Scutti of the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department CSI Unit responded and processed the crime scene.

In addition, it was learned that Clayton had recently pawned various items, including a cellular telephone. OCPO Sgt. Michael Cecchini was contacted and assisted with the recovery of said items. Further, Lt. Steven Allaire of the Lakewood Police Department obtained information from the NJSP ROIC which identified the defendant’s vehicle. On Thursday (5/5/16), at approximately 12 pm, off duty Sgt. Steven Austin of the Toms River Police Department located the defendant’s vehicle at the Wawa located on Rt. 9 in Toms River, contacted patrol units and Clayton was detained for transport to Toms River Police Department as part of the continuing investigation. The defendant’s vehicle was seized to be processed at a later date. It was at this time Clayton was charged for the above offenses.

Ocean County Superior Court Judge Melanie Donohue Appleby set bail at $375,000 no 10% and ordered the defendant to have no contact with the victim as per a Nicole’s Law. The media and public are reminded that criminal charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

ROBERT DAVID CLAYTON

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On Wednesday (5/11/2016), at approximately 5:11 am, the Jackson Township Police Department and OCPO Fatal Accident Investigation Unit responded to a reported motor vehicle crash with injuries in the area of Cassville Road.

Upon their arrival the investigation found a 2009 Ford Flex being driven by Richard Ulis, 59, of Toms River was traveling northbound on Cassville Road in Jackson Township when for some unknown reason he crossed over the center median striking a tree off the sound bound shoulder on the property of 182 Cassville Road.

Richard Ulis, the sole occupant of the car, was pronounced deceased at the scene at 5:39 am. The scene was processed/photographed by the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department CSI. The investigation continues.

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OCPO Captains Joseph Mitchell and Vincent Frulio appear on Investigative Discovery episode “Fear Thy Neighbor” recapping details of their investigation into OC’s most horrific killings. If you missed this reenactment/documentary last night of a crazed Toms River man’s murder spree, you can catch it again on May 18 (Wed) at 10 pm.

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The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Arson Investigations Unit and the Beachwood Police Department are investigating a shed fire set on Thursday (5/19) at 5:20 am behind 417 Atlantic City Blvd. Beachwood Police and Fire Departments responded quickly extinguishing the fire.

The investigation found a witness who reported observing a male leaving the scene with a gas can and fleeing the area in a white van. The van was last seen heading south on Capstan Avenue.

Attached is the photograph of the suspected van. Anyone with information is asked to call OCPO Arson Investigation Unit at 732 929-2027 Ext. 3953 or the Beachwood Police Department at 732 286-6000 Ext. 100. Caller’s info and identity with be kept strictly confidential.

Follow the Office of the Ocean County Prosecutor online at Twitter and Facebook. The social media links provided are for reference only. The OCPO does not endorse any non-governmental websites, companies or applications.  For additional information visit our website at www.oceancountyprosecutor.org.

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On Thursday, May 19, 2016, the Appellate Division affirmed this attempted murder jury verdict following the defendant’s appeal. Assistant Deputy Public Defender Amira Scurato appealed on behalf of the defendant, Robert H. Hankins and Chief of the Appellate Unit, Samuel J. Marzarella and Assistant Prosecutor John C. Tassini represented the State on the appeal.

The case was presented by Assistant Ocean County Prosecutor Ehsan F. Chowdhry at the trial level. The defendant was represented by Assistant Deputy Public Defender Michael G. Vito. The Honorable Wendel E. Daniels, P.J.Cr. presided over the trial. Multiple agencies assisted in the prosecution of this matter, including the Lakewood Township Police Department, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department, the New Jersey State Police and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office. The lead detective was Detective Thomas Tiernan of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office. Monica Schuler of Victim Witness provided key assistance. The jury deliberated very briefly before it voted unanimously to convict the Toms River man of first-degree attempted murder in an incident in which the defendant slashed a woman’s throat on New Year’s Eve 2011.

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Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato announced today that his office has filed an appeal with the Appellate Division of the New Jersey Superior Court regarding the trial court’s decision to allow Lorraine Morgan into the Pretrial Intervention Program over the objection of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.

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The white van OCPO is seeking in connection with setting the Beachwood shed fire is a 2000 white Chevrolet van having a NJ Plate: M73 AYH.

The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Arson Investigations Unit and the Beachwood Police Department are investigating a shed fire set on Thursday (5/19) at 5:20 am behind 417 Atlantic City Blvd. Beachwood Police and Fire Departments responded quickly extinguishing the fire.

The investigation found a witness who reported observing a male leaving the scene with a gas can and fleeing the area in a white van. The van was last seen heading south on Capstan Avenue.

Attached is the photograph of the suspected van. Anyone with information is asked to call OCPO Arson Investigation Unit at 732 929-2027 Ext. 4760 or the Beachwood Police Department at 732 286-6000 Ext. 100. Caller’s info and identity with be kept strictly confidential. Do not approach, call 911, observe and report.

Follow the Office of the Ocean County Prosecutor online at Twitter and Facebook. The social media links provided are for reference only. The OCPO does not endorse any non-governmental websites, companies or applications.  For additional information visit our website at www.oceancountyprosecutor.org.

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On May 25, 2016, the Ocean County Grand Jury returned an indictment against Arthur Haskoor, 57, of Plumsted Township in the Murder of his wife. The full list of charges against Haskoor in the indictment are as follows: Murder, first degree (Count 1), Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose (Knife), third degree (Count 2) and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (Knife), fourth degree (Count 3). He faces 30 years to life on the Murder count. He remains incarcerated in the Ocean County Jail on $1 million dollars with no ten percent option bail set at the time of his arrest.

The indictment stems from the August 25, 2015 event when at approximately 10 am, Officials at New Egypt High School received information that there was a domestic dispute taking place at 120 Evergreen Road in Plumsted. School officials immediately called 911 and members of the Plumsted Township Police Department were dispatched.

Upon their arrival, officers found a deceased female victim who had apparently succumbed to stab wounds in the property’s driveway. They proceeded to the home’s front entrance and found a note on the front door telling police that there are guns in the house and that the occupant would kill them. This was later confirmed by on scene police through interviews with the suspect’s son that there were at least six weapons owned by the father in the home.

The residence was immediately secured. Resources from Ocean County Northern Regional SWAT Team, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Plumsted Township Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Department, and the New Jersey State Police were called and a perimeter was established to contain the barricaded occupant. At approximately 2:30 pm a camera equipped robot made entry to the residence and found the male occupant in the garage area of the home unresponsive.

The unresponsive suspect later identified as Arthur Haskoor, 56, had suffered serious, but non-life threatening self-inflicted injuries and was treated at Capital Health Regional Trauma Center in Trenton. His deceased wife is identified as Susanne Haskoor, 48. The couple had been married for 20 years with two male children, ages 17 and 18.

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Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato today announced that the Office of the Ocean County Prosecutor received State Re-Accreditation from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police. This coveted status is awarded after intense auditing, reviews and grading. The New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police Accreditation Commission bestowed the honor at the June 1 meeting of the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders in Toms River, NJ.

“Members of my office worked tirelessly to sustain our accreditation, first awarded in May of 2013. This coveted distinction, held by only eight (8) other NJ Prosecutor Offices, brings elite status within law enforcement. Accreditation provides objective evidence of our agency’s commitment to excellence in leadership, resource management, and service delivery. It assures the public we serve, that OCPO is using the best practices in modern policing and elevates us as a model for other law enforcement agencies,” said Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato.

The award is the culmination of a multi-year process that included on-site inspections from assessment teams representing the commission. Assessors reviewed policies and procedures, examined files, conducted interviews of staff members, and inspected facilities

Prosecutor Coronato and staff proudly accepted the Re-Accreditation Certificate from Harry J. Delgado, E.Ds., Accreditation Program Manager for the NJ State Association of Chiefs of Police. In his remarks Mr. Delgado stated, “It is the opinion of the assessment team that the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office is a highly professional and committed agency which exemplifies all of the tenets of Law Enforcement Accreditation. Therefore, The New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police and the New Jersey Law Enforcement Commission, congratulates Prosecutor Joseph Coronato, Chief of Detectives Glenn Miller, and Accreditation Manager Kevin Moore, the members and staff of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, the Freeholders, and those law enforcement agencies and citizens they so proudly serve, for achieving reaccreditation, joining a very exclusive group of law enforcement agencies that have made this important commitment to excellence in policing.”

Accreditation is for a period of three years and the agencies are constantly tasked with providing proof of compliance. The program brings several significant benefits and it is a valuable management strategy for improvement. It enhances public safety services by comparing the Office of the Ocean County Prosecutor to the best procedures currently used by law enforcement and assures any non-compliant areas are up to those standards. Additionally, it creates accountability to a respected benchmarking group that knows the work of modern policing. Public trust is ultimately bolstered by the accreditation process. For more information about Accreditation, go to www.NJSACOP.org or www.Rodgersgroupllc.com.

Prosecutor Coronato (center) with Chief of Detectives Glenn Miller (to his rights) accepted Accreditation Certificate from Harry J. Delgado, E.Ds., Accreditation Program Manager for the NJ State Association of Chiefs of Police.

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Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato today announced the indictment of Robert S. Trella, 41, and Brigitte M. McCarthy, 31, of Berkeley Township, which resulted from the investigation into the drowning death of their two (2) year old female child. Details of the full eleven (11) count Indictment returned on June 2, 2016 by the Ocean County Grand Jury is attached. The breakdown of specific counts and charges per each defendant are as follows:

Brigitte M. Mccarthy

• Count one – endangering the welfare of a child-second degree
• Count two – endangering the welfare of a child-second degree
• Count three – possession of a controlled dangerous substance-third degree
• Count four – possession of a controlled dangerous substance-third degree
• Count five – possession of a controlled dangerous substance-third degree

Robert S. Trella Jr

• Count six – endangering the welfare of a child-second degree
• Count seven – endangering the welfare of a child-second degree
• Count eight – possession of a controlled dangerous substance-third degree
• Count nine – possession of a controlled dangerous substance-third degree
• Count ten – possession of a controlled dangerous substance-third degree
• Count eleven – tampering with evidence-fourth degree

The indictment stems from the January 20, 2016, arrest by Officers from the Berkeley Twp. Police Department of Trella for two counts of 2nd Degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Possession of CDS and Tampering with Evidence. A day later, on January 21, Berkeley PD Officers also arrested McCarthy for two counts of 2nd degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child and Possession of CDS. Both arrests were in connection with the investigation into the drowning death. Both remain incarcerated since the time of their arrest on bail set at $150,000, no 10 percent, and No Contact with Victim.

The tragic event began on August 17, 2015, when Ptl. Alexander Houle, of the Berkeley Twp. Police Department, was dispatched to a residential area within the township for a report of a 9 year old girl running down the street stating that her 2 year old sister was missing. Ultimately, the child’s sister, a two year old female, identified as M.M, was located unresponsive in a neighboring swimming pool. M.M. was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River where she was pronounced dead.

During the course of the investigation, it was determined that McCarthy was the mother of M.M., the 9 year old female, as well as another sibling. The father of M.M. was also determined to be Robert S. Trella. McCarthy and Trella shared a residence in Berkeley Twp. along with the three children. When law enforcement officers entered the family home, marijuana and heroin were discovered within the residence. McCarthy further instructed her 9 year old daughter to retrieve a tin containing suspected heroin in the presence of the investigating law enforcement officers. Trella further attempted to destroy marijuana located within the home.

Witnesses in the area advised police that M.M. had been seen wandering around the neighborhood unsupervised on prior occasions before her death. It was further revealed that M.M.’s 9 year sister assumed many of the care taking responsibilities for M.M.

The lead investigators in the case are Detective William Somers, Sergeant William Cullen and Patrolman Taylor Butler of Berkeley Twp, P.D, as well as, Sergeant Brian Haggerty of Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit. The Crime Scene Investigation Unit of the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office also assisted in the investigation. Senior Assistant Prosecutor Christine Lento is prosecuting the case.

Robert S. Trella

Brigitte McCarthy

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Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato today warned county residents of fraudulent mailings sent under the guise of a legitimate name bank reporting a possible inheritance. A sample of this scam letter using the TD logo is attached.

In the past week there have been several reports of local residents receiving this letter, which is nothing more than another version of the “Nigerian Scam” utilizing company symbols located on the Internet to develop these types of documents. The counterfeit documents are mailed or emailed as part of a “phishing scam” to steal personal information or money.

The attached letter is a classic example of the scam. Claiming to be from “TD Canada” with a return address on the envelope for Costco Wholesale, the letter states to not disclose these accounts to anyone until the money is received which is a huge red flag. They promise access to inheritance money because of a similar last name, which no legitimate company would ever actively seek to disperse.

“REMEMBER IF IT’S TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE – IT’S NOT TRUE”

These unscrupulous con artists manufacturing the documents are in most cases located outside the US. They utilize internet based websites and programs to mask their real phone numbers and locations. This makes the investigation and prosecution difficult and recovering your money virtually impossible.

Anyone who receives these documents should report them to the Federal Trade Commission website www.ftc.gov. If victimized call the Office of the Ocean County Prosecutor at 732-929-2027.

Follow the Office of the Ocean County Prosecutor online at Twitter and Facebook. The social media links provided are for reference only. The OCPO does not endorse any non-governmental websites, companies or applications.  For additional information visit our website at www.oceancountyprosecutor.org.

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Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato announced today the culmination of a multi-jurisdictional investigation into alleged heroin drug distribution within Ocean County. In the first of three operational phases of the pre-summer sweep, detectives from the Prosecutor’s Special Operations Group, Northern Enforcement Unit teamed with the Berkeley Township, South Toms River and Toms River Police Departments to arrest six (6) Ocean County residents on various drug charges.

The first phase of the operation involved a two (2) month long undercover investigation in which Detectives obtained five (5) no knock search warrants for residences located in the Manitou Park section of Berkeley Township and South Toms River. On May 25, 2016 at approximately 5:30 am, the partnering agencies, with assistance from the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department, the Ocean County Regional SWAT Team and the NJSP TEAMS Unit executed the no knock search warrants at the subject residences. The investigation and search warrants resulted in a seizure of nearly a thousand bags of heroin, a quantity of marijuana, assorted drug paraphernalia and approximately $6000 in cash.

The search warrants were executed at the following locations:

• 428 Applegate Avenue, South Toms River the residence of Amanda Pomeroy
• 159 Attison Ave, South Toms River the residence of Tashema Cottman
• 254 1^st Avenue, Berkeley Township the residence of Jabbar Graham
• 121 Belmont Drive, South Toms River the residence of Hakim Singleton and Shaquanda Dorsey
• 21 2^nd Avenue, Berkeley Township NJ a residence identified during the investigation as being utilized to facilitate the drug distribution activities of this network

Those arrested as a result of the investigations first phase were as follows:

1. Tashema Cotman, 38, 159 Attison Avenue, South Toms River, NJ was charged with 5 counts Possession of Heroin, 5 counts of Possession of Heroin under one half ounce with Intent to Distribute and 5 counts of distribution of heroin. Ocean County Superior Court Judge James M. Blaney, JSC set bail at $125,000, no ten percent. Ms. Cotman was subsequently housed in the Ocean County Jail.
2. Amanda Pomeroy, 27, 428 Applegate Avenue, South Toms River, NJ was charged with 2 counts of Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin. Ocean County Superior Court Judge James M. Blaney, JSC set bail at $25,000, no ten percent. Ms. Pomeroy was subsequently housed in the Ocean County Jail.
3. Shaquonda Dorsey, 37, 121 Belmont Drive, South Toms River, NJ was charged with 1 count of Conspiracy to  Distribute Heroin. Ocean County Superior Court Judge James M. Blaney, JSC set bail at $50,000, no ten percent. Ms. Dorsey was subsequently housed in the Ocean County Jail.
4. Hakim Singleton, 38, 121 Belmont Drive, South Toms River, NJ was charged with 4 counts of Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin. Ocean County Superior Court Judge James M. Blaney, JSC set bail at $150,000, cash bail. Mr. Singleton was subsequently housed in the Ocean County Jail.
5. Jabbar Graham, 38, 254 First Avenue, Berkeley Township, NJ was charged with Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute. Mr. Graham was subsequently released on a summons.
6. Rachael Cole, 27, 112 Charles Avenue, South Toms River, NJ was charged with Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute. Ms. Cole was subsequently released on a summons.

The second phase of the operation by OCPO’s Special Operations Group, Northern Enforcement Unit and Seaside Heights Police Department involved a month long undercover investigation that that resulted in the arrest of an additional two (2) Ocean County residents on various drug charges into the alleged distribution of prescription pain medication, specifically Oxycodone in the Seaside Heights area. On May 26, 2016 at approximately 12:55 pm, the partnering agencies investigation led to the execution of a no knock search warrant at a residence located at 325 Blaine Avenue Apartment 2, Seaside Heights, NJ. The search would result in the seizure of quantities of Oxycodone prescription pain killers, along with quantities of “Wax” (a derivative of the marijuana plant that is smoked from pipes), assorted drug paraphernalia and approximately $2350 in cash.

The operation resulted in the following two (2) Ocean County residents being arrested and charged:

1. Kelly Borden, 46, 325 Blaine Avenue, Apt 2, Seaside Heights, NJ was charged with 2 counts Possession of CDS (Oxycodone), 2 counts of   Possession of CDS (Oxycodone) with Intent to Distribute, 2 counts of distribution of CDS (Oxycodone), 1 count of Possession of CDS (Oxycodone) and 1 count of Possession of CDS (Oxycodone) with intent to Distribute. Ocean County Superior Court Judge James M. Blaney, JSC set bail at $25,000, no ten percent. Ms. Borden was subsequently housed in the Ocean County Jail.
2. Thomas Melvin, 21, 325 Blaine Avenue Apt 2, Seaside Heights, NJ was charged with Possession of Marijuana (Wax), Possession of Marijuana (Wax) with Intent to Distribute and Possession of Drug Paraphernelia. Mr. Melvin was subsequently released on a summons

The final and largest phase of this first Summer Sweep was dubbed “Operation MVP” after Melvin Vankpana, 23, a.k.a. “Money” of Lakewood and Neptune, who the investigation alleges managed and directed the heroin distribution network in Ocean County. This last phase focusing on high level heroin distributors began in late 2015 and culminated on Thursday (June 2, 2016). The investigation alleges that Vankpana’s network was responsible for the import of approximately 25,000 individual dosage units of heroin every week into Ocean County. The investigation identified locations in Toms River, Lakewood, Brick Township, Jackson and Neptune Township where Vankpana and members of his network would facilitate their illicit drug distribution activities, as well as, store quantities of Heroin for distribution.

During the early morning hours of June 2, 2016, detectives from the Special Operations Group Unit, along with members of the Lakewood Township Police ESU, the Brick Township S.E.R.T Team, the Toms River Police E.S.U., the Ocean County Regional SWAT Team, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department, the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force and members of the New Jersey State Police T.E.A.M.S. Unit executed nine no knock search warrants in Lakewood, Brick Township, Jackson and Neptune Township. Simultaneous with the execution of the nine no knock search warrants, members of the U.S. Marshalls Service, along with members of the Prosecutor’s Special Operations Group, the Toms River Police Department and the Lakewood Township Police department responded to residences in Toms River and Lakewood to execute arrest warrants associated with this operation.

Operation “MVP” resulted in the seizure of approximately 8000 individual dosage units of heroin, quantities of prescription pills, cocaine and marijuana, an AR 15 Assault Rifle, a Ruger Semi-Automatic Pistol and approximately $40,000 in cash. Search Warrants were executed at the following locations:

• 300 Waverly Ave Apartment 29, Neptune Township NJ the residence of Melvin Vankpana a.k.a. “Money”
• 214 Cedarbridge Avenue Apartment A, Lakewood NJ the residence of Luis Rodriguez a.k.a. “Chino”
• 220 Cedarbridge Avenue ApartmentB, Lakewood NJ the residence of Altariq Montgomery
• 131 East 7^th Street, Lakewood NJ the residence of Marcus and Tarell Jones a.k.a. “Ruger”
• 11 Albany Avenue, Jackson NJ the residence of Mathew Green Jr.
• 452 Lonna Court Brick NJ the residence of Kashawn Cotte
• 195 Alder Street, Lakewood NJ an additional residence for Tarell Jones a.k.a. “Ruger”
• 1321 Stark Street Lakewood NJ the residence of Jameer Jones a.k.a. “BS and Ja”
• 504 Massachusetts Avenue, Lakewood NJ the residence of Candido Jackson a.k.a. “GU and Gorilla”

Members of the U.S. Marshalls Service along with members of the Prosecutor’s Special Operations Group, the Toms River Police Department and the Lakewood Township Police Department responded to 1005 Arlington Drive, Toms River NJ the residence of Jerron Evans a.k.a. “Hove” and William Davis a.k.a. “Stinkum” regarding the execution of arrest warrants on Evans and Davis. A search of that residence was also conducted.

Members of the U.S. Marshalls Service along with members of the Prosecutor’s Special Operations Group, the Toms River Police Department and the Lakewood Township Police Department responded to 208 Cedarbridge Avenue Apartment A, Lakewood NJ the residence of Nyshawne Sutton a.k.a. “Chub and Harlem” regarding the execution of arrest warrants on Sutton. A search of that residence was also conducted.

The following eighteen (18) individuals were arrested as a result of operation “MVP”

Melvin Vankpana, 23, Bail $300,000 Cash Only

300 Waverly Avenue, Apartment 929, Neptune Township NJ (Home Address)

Charged with Leader of a Narcotics Trafficking Network, Possession of Heroin, Possession of over one half ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin and Distribution of over one half ounce of Heroin.

Luis Rodriguez, 26, Bail $150,000 No 10 Percent

214 Cedarbridge Avenue, Apartment A, Lakewood NJ (Home Address)

Charged with Possession of Heroin and Cocaine, Possession of over one half ounce of Heroin and Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin and Distribution of over one half ounce of Heroin and Cocaine

Quaoirah Vaughn/Rodriguez,23, Released on a Summons

214 Cedarbridge Avenue, Apartment A, Lakewood NJ (Home Address)

Charged with Possession of Heroin, Cocaine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Nyshawne Sutton, 35, Bail $150,000 Cash Only

208 Cedarbridge Avenue Apartment A, Lakewood NJ (Home Address)

Charged with Possession of Heroin, Possession of over one half ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin and Distribution of over one half ounce of Heroin.

Marcus Jones, 40, Bail $150,000 No 10%

131 East Seventh Street, Lakewood NJ (Home Address)

Charged with Possession of Heroin, Possession of over one half ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin and Distribution of over one half ounce of Heroin.

Tarell Jones, 26, Bail $150,000 No 10%

195 Alder Sreet, Lakewood NJ (Home Address)

Charged with Possession of Heroin, Possession of over one half ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin and Distribution of over one half ounce of Heroin.

Mathew Green, 27, Bail $200,000 No 10%

11 Albany Avenue, Jackson NJ (Home Address)

Charged with Possession of Heroin, Possession of over one half ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin and Distribution of over one half ounce of Heroin.

Timothy Moore, 20, Released on a Summons

11 Albany Avenue, Jackson NJ (Home Address)

Charged with Possession of Heroin and Marijuana.

Kashawn Cotte, 24, Bail $100,000 No 10%

452 Lonna Court, Brick NJ (Home Address)

Charged with Possession of Heroin, Possession of over one half ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin and Distribution of over one half ounce of Heroin.

Jerron Evans, 33, Bail $200,000 Cash Only

1005 Arlington Drive, Toms River NJ (Home Address)

Charged with Possession of Heroin, Possession of over one half ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin, Distribution of over one half ounce of Heroin, Possession of a firearm during a CDS Offense and Certain Persons not to Possess a Firearm..

William Davis, 20, Bail $100,000 Cash Only

1005 Arlington Drive, Toms River NJ (Home Address)

Charged with Possession of Heroin, Possession of over one half ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin, Distribution of over one half ounce of Heroin and Possession of a firearm during a CDS Offense.

Samora Burgess, 28, Bail $750,000 No 10 %

1005 Arlington Drive, Toms River NJ (Home Address)

Charged with Possession of Heroin, Possession of over one half ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin, Distribution of over one half ounce of Heroin, Possession of a firearm during a CDS Offense.

Candido Jackson, 28, Bail $150,000 No 10%

504 Massachusetts Avenue, Lakewood NJ (Home Address)

Charged with Possession of Heroin, Possession of over one half ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin and Distribution of over one half ounce of Heroin.

Yahnie Patterson, 28, Bail $150,000 Cash Only

Currently Incarcerated in the Monmouth County Jail

Charged with Possession of Heroin, Possession of over one half ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin and Distribution of over one half ounce of Heroin.

Nakayla Adams, 25, Bail $75,000 No 10%

31 Wicker Place, Morganville NJ (Home Address)

Charged with Possession of Heroin, Possession of over one half ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin and Distribution of over one half ounce of Heroin.

Aniya Lynn, 25, Bail $100,000 No 10%

2250 West County Line Road Apartment B 14 Jackson NJ (Home Address)

Charged with Possession of Heroin, Possession of over one half ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin and Distribution of over one half ounce of Heroin.

Erika Ortiz, 24, Bail $100,000 No 10%

32 Merlin Avenue, Lakewood NJ (Home Address)

Charged with Possession of Heroin, Possession of over one half ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin and Distribution of over one half ounce of Heroin.

Altariq Montgomery, 22, Released on a Summons

11 Albany Avenue, Jackson NJ (Home Address)

Charged with Possession of CDS (Percocet).

Still at Large:

• Jameer Jones, 22, of 1321 Stark Street, Lakewood NJ Bail $150,000 cash only wanted for Possession of Heroin, Possession of over one half ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin and Distribution of over one half ounce of Heroin.
• Dasean Donaldson, 20, of 15 Sylvan Court Lakewood NJ Bail $100,000 no 10 % wanted for Possession of Heroin, Possession of over one half ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin and Distribution of over one half ounce of Heroin.
• Dajun Morris, 23, of 1313 Marshall Street, Lakewood NJ Bail $100,000 no 10 % wanted for Possession of Heroin, Possession of over one half ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin and Distribution of over one half ounce of Heroin.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of these individuals are asked to contact the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Special Operations Group at 732-341-6150 or 732-929-2027.  This investigation is continuing and additional arrests are forthcoming.

All of the aforementioned bails were set by the Honorable Ocean County Superior Court Judge James M. Blaney, JSC. All of the arrested individuals who had bails set were transported to the Ocean County Jail in lieu of the listed bail.

The following vehicles were seized as a result of operation ‘MVP”:

• Black 2012 BMW X6 – A vehicle utilized by Melvin Vankpana.
• Black 2013 Hyundai Elantra – A vehicle utilized by Kashawn Cotte

This operation involved the strength of the following agencies, in addition to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Operations Group”:

• Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Operations Group
• Brick Township Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit
• Brick Township Police Department Emergency Services Unit
• Toms River Police Emergency Services Unit
• Toms River Police Department K-9 Unit
• Toms River Police Department Special Enforcement Team
• Lakewood Township Police Department SWAT Team
• Lakewood Township Police Street Crimes Unit
• Manchester Police Department
• Manchester Township Police Special Enforcement Team
• Berkeley Township Police Department
• South Toms River Police Department
• Lacey Township Police Department
• Ocean Township Police Department
• Jackson Township Police Department
• Barnegat Township Police Department Narcotics Unit
• Little Egg Harbor Police Department
• Stafford Township Police Department
• New Jersey State Police TEAMS Unit
• New Jersey State Police K-9 Unit
• Ocean County Sheriff’s Department K-9 Unit
• Ocean County Sheriff’s Department C.S.I.
• Ocean County Regional SWAT Team
• Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force
• Neptune Township Police Department
• United States Marshalls Service

The media and public are reminded that criminal charges are merely accusations and that these defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Follow the Office of the Ocean County Prosecutor online at Twitter and Facebook. The social media links provided are for reference only. The OCPO does not endorse any non-governmental websites, companies or applications.  For additional information visit our website at www.oceancountyprosecutor.org.

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“Working with the New Jersey State Police, R.O.I.C. and the state police lab analysis, it now appears that more often than not the glassine packets being consumed by an Ocean County resident does not only contain heroin, but many other drugs.  Clearly these packets are a “cocktail” containing many other drugs such as cocaine, meth, fentanyl, acetyl fentanyl, caffeine and morphine.  The most deadly component now appears to be synthetic opioids.  Fentanyl now appears regularly in Ocean County as an additive to the heroin packet.  Fentanyl itself is 100 times more powerful than morphine.  We had a fourteen year old die already using fentanyl patches.

There is now acetyl fentanyl, which is more powerful than regular fentanyl; buccal fentanyl, which is fentanyl in tablet form; and W-18, which is another synthetic opioid allegedly 10,000 times stronger than morphine.

It is my belief that the continued overdose death total is related to the new “cocktails” that are contained in each “opiate packet”.  The individual/the body cannot handle the additives or the synthetic opiates contained therein.  A major concern is whether Narcan/naloxone as currently constituted will have a reversal effect on the synthetic opioid?  I am now exploring to see if we need to adapt/modify the use of Narcan to reflect the changes in the synthetics as they develop.

I look to Congress to take the lead in this “synthetic storm” and assist the law enforcement community and the health care community in addressing this issue.”

Follow the Office of the Ocean County Prosecutor online at Twitter and Facebook. The social media links provided are for reference only. The OCPO does not endorse any non-governmental websites, companies or applications.  For additional information visit our website at www.oceancountyprosecutor.org.

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