Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on September 13, 2024, Ezra Wheeler, 27, of Brick Township, was sentenced by the Honorable David M. Fritch, J.S.C., to ten years New Jersey State Prison relative to his previously entered guilty plea to Possession of More than One Half-Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute in connection with an investigation that took place in Brick Township in June 2023. Wheeler pled guilty to the charge before Judge Fritch on July 15, 2024.
On June 8, 2023, in furtherance of an ongoing narcotics investigation, Detectives from the Brick Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit established mobile and stationary surveillance on a residence on Coventry Court. Detectives observed Wheeler exit the residence and leave the area in a motor vehicle. Officers from the Brick Township Police Department effectuated a motor vehicle stop on the vehicle Wheeler was operating. Wheeler was found to be in possession of approximately 18 grams of Cocaine. Wheeler was taken into custody without incident.
A short time later, Detectives executed a court-authorized search warrant on the subject residence. As a result, Detectives seized approximately 100 grams of Cocaine and $19,300 in United States currency. Wheeler was transported to the Ocean County Jail, and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Assistant Prosecutor Lynn Juan who handled the case on behalf of the State, and acknowledges the Brick Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit, Brick Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their combined and collaborative assistance in connection with this investigation leading to Wheeler’s guilty plea, and now his state prison sentence.