Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force collaborated with Detectives from the Berkeley Township Police Department to conduct a month-long investigation into the distribution of illegal narcotics in Ocean County. This cooperative, multi-agency investigation identified William Manser, 44 of Berkeley Township, as utilizing a residence in Berkeley Township to store and distribute illegal narcotics.
As part of the ongoing narcotics investigation, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force and Berkeley Township Police Department established stationary and mobile surveillance on the subject residence on November 20, 2024. Detectives subsequently observed Manser exit the residence. When law enforcement approached Manser, he attempted to flee the scene on a motorized scooter – but was quickly apprehended and placed under arrest without incident. Manser was found to be in possession of a quantity of heroin, cocaine, and oxycodone. On that same date, the Ocean County Regional SWAT Team executed a court-authorized search warrant on the subject residence; as a result, Detectives seized additional quantities of controlled dangerous substances (CDS), as well as assorted paraphernalia indicative of illegal narcotics distribution.
Manser was charged with Possession of One Half Ounce or More but Less than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Less than One Half Ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Oxycodone with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute within 500 feet of a Public Housing Project, Possession of Heroin with Intent to Distribute within 500 feet of a Public Housing Project, Possession of Oxycodone with Intent to Distribute within 500 feet of a Public Housing Project, Resisting Arrest, Wandering to Obtain/Distribute CDS, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Heroin, Possession of Oxycodone, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Manser was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Berkeley Township Police Department, Berkeley Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit, and Ocean County Regional SWAT Team, for their combined and collective assistance in connection with this investigation.
The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).