Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on January 11, 2021, Michael Trotman, 35, of Beachwood, pled guilty to Possession of Cocaine with the Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(2), before the Honorable Michael T. Collins, J.S.C, relative to a motor vehicle stop and subsequent arrest which occurred on March 4, 2020 in Brick Township. Additionally, Trotman reaffirmed his previously entered guilty plea to Possession of Cocaine in a Quantity Greater than Five Ounces with Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(1), in connection with a motor vehicle stop and consequent arrest which occurred on May 30, 2018 in Manchester Township. Trotman initially entered a guilty plea to this charge arising out of Manchester Township before Judge Collins on December 18, 2019. At the time of sentencing on March 5, 2021, the State will be seeking eight years New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) with regard to the March 4, 2020 incident in Brick, and fifteen years NJSP with a five-year period of parole ineligibility with regard to the May 30, 2018 incident in Manchester. The sentences are to run concurrently.
On March 4, 2020, Brick Township Police stopped a motor vehicle operated by Trotman for swerving on a roadway. Officers detected a strong odor of Marijuana; Trotman was subsequently found to be in possession of more than one-half ounce of cocaine, as well as a quantity of Marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Trotman was taken into custody, and has been lodged in the Ocean County Jail since the date of this arrest on March 4, 2020.
On May 30, 2018, Manchester Township Police Officers executed a motor vehicle stop on a vehicle being operated by Trotman. Trotman consented to a search of the vehicle, which resulted in the discovery of a hidden compartment in the center console area containing approximately 700 grams of Cocaine, as well as quantities of Codeine, Oxycodone Pills, and Marijuana – all packaged for distribution. Approximately $1400 in cash was also discovered in the vehicle and seized by the Officers. Although initially lodged in the Ocean County Jail on this charge, Trotman was subsequently released by the Court as a consequence of bail reform.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Senior Assistant Prosecutor Robert J. Cassidy who handled these cases on behalf of the State. Prosecutor Billhimer likewise commends the excellent police work exhibited by both the Manchester Township Police Department and Brick Township Police Department in investigating these matters, which ultimately resulted in Trotman’s guilty pleas, and soon, his state prison sentence.