El fiscal del condado de Ocean, Bradley D.. Billhimer announced that Jason Bacon, 43, a fugitive from justice who previously resided in Brick Township, was taken into custody in Mexico by the United States Marshals Task Force on January 15, 2026. Bacon was extradited to New Jersey on February 4, 2026, and is presently lodged in the Ocean County Jail where he will be detained until he is sentenced on numerous drug-related offenses for which he was tried and convicted in absentia in January 2025.
An investigation that commenced in December 2017 by the Clayton Township (New Jersey) Police Department revealed that a large greenhouse had been constructed behind a vacant house on Delsea Drive in Clayton Township. Further investigation revealed that this residence was utilizing large amounts of water and electricity and had received large freight deliveries of material associated with illegally growing marijuana. A search of public records revealed the residence was owned by Jason Bacon who also maintained a residence in Brick Township.
En abril 26, 2018, Law Enforcement Officers executed court-authorized search warrants on the properties in Clayton and Brick Townships. Como resultado, Los detectives se apoderaron de 25 libras de marihuana, more than five pounds of hashish and hashish products, plantas de marihuana, paraphernalia associated with the cultivation of marijuana, and a loaded .25 pistola calibre. Bacon was taken into custody at the Brick Township residence and transported to the Ocean County Jail; he was initially ordered detained but subsequently ordered to be released in April 2019 como consecuencia de la reforma de la fianza de Nueva Jersey.
A subsequent review of Bacon’s bank records revealed that he had deposited in excess of $400,000 of illicit proceeds from illegal narcotics sales into his bank account between 2013 y 2018. Además, Bacon failed to pay income tax on his illegal income.
En enero 14, 2025, Bacon’s trial commenced before the Honorable Guy P. ryan, P.J.Cr.P. Bacon failed to appear for trial, which was conducted in his absence. En enero 30, 2025, the jury found Bacon guilty of two counts of Maintaining a Controlled Dangerous Substance Facility, Posesión de más de 25 Libras de marihuana con la intención de distribuir, Posesión de más de cinco libras de hachís con intención de distribuir, Posesión de más de cinco libras pero menos que 25 Libras de marihuana con la intención de distribuir, two counts of Possession of More than Fifty Grams of Marijuana, Possession of More than Five Grams of Hashish, Posesión de cocaína, Posesión de un arma de fuego durante un delito de sustancia peligrosa controlada, Facilitación financiera, and four counts of Failure to File Income Tax Returns and Pay Income Tax. Bacon is now scheduled to be sentenced before Judge Ryan on April 17, 2026.
El Fiscal Billhimer reconoce los esfuerzos diligentes del Fiscal Adjunto Principal Stephen Burke, quien está manejando el caso en nombre del Estado., y elogia a la Fuerza de Ataque de Narcóticos de la Oficina del Fiscal del Condado de Ocean, Fiscalía del condado de Gloucester, Clayton Township (New Jersey) Departamento de Policia, Departamento de policía del municipio de Brick, Policía Estatal de Nueva Jersey, New Jersey Department of Treasury-Office of Criminal Investigation, New Jersey State Police Office of Forensic Sciences South Regional Laboratory, Unidad de Investigación de la Escena del Crimen de la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Ocean, y la Fuerza de Tarea Fugitiva de los Alguaciles de los Estados Unidos, por su asistencia combinada y colectiva en relación con esta investigación, ultimately leading to Bacon’s conviction at trial, and now his return to Ocean County to face justice for his criminal activity.