Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on October 25, 2024, Clifford Holland, 48, of Barnegat, was sentenced by the Honorable Dina M. Vicari, J.S.C., to three years New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) in connection with his previously entered guilty plea to Possession of Less than One Half Ounce of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, and 10 years NJSP – with a five year period of parole ineligibility – in connection with his previously entered guilty plea to Unlawful Possession of a Handgun – having previously been convicted of an offense subject to the No Early Release Act (NERA). Both charges are in connection with an incident that occurred on February 23, 2024, in Barnegat. Holland pled guilty to the charges before Judge Vicari on September 9, 2024. The sentences will run concurrently.
On February 23, 2024, in furtherance of a narcotics investigation, Detectives from the Barnegat Township Police Department Crime Reduction Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Stafford Township Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit, and Ocean County Regional SWAT Team, executed a court-authorized search warrant at a residence on Gunning River Road. As a result, Detectives seized a quantity of Cocaine along with a .22 caliber revolver. Holland was taken into custody at the scene without incident. Holland was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he has been lodged since that date.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Assistant Prosecutor Stephen Burke who is handled the case on behalf of the State, and commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Barnegat Township Police Department Crime Reduction Unit, Barnegat Township Police Department, Stafford Township Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit, and Ocean County Regional SWAT Team, for their combined and collective assistance in connection with this investigation resulting in Holland’s guilty pleas, and now his state prison sentence.