El fiscal del condado de Ocean, Bradley D.. Billhimer anunció que en febrero 20, 2025, Octavaeous Jenkins, 50, del río Toms, pled guilty to Distribution of More than Five Ounces of Cocaine and Possession of More than One Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, ante la Honorable Dina M. Vicario, JSC. En el momento de su sentencia en abril 4, 2025, the State will seeking a term of 14 años Prisión Estatal de Nueva Jersey (NJSP). Additionally Ralph Durand, 58, of Long Branch, pled guilty to Possession of More than One Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, likewise before Judge Vicari. En el momento de su sentencia en abril 25, 2025, el Estado buscará un plazo de 10 NJSP. The charges as to both individuals are in connection with an investigation that occurred in May 2023.
Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force collaborated with the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Asset Forfeiture Unit, Administración de Control de Drogas de los Estados Unidos – Áreas de tráfico de drogas de alta intensidad (LAVADO) Grupo 5, Fuerza de ataque antinarcóticos de la oficina del fiscal del condado de Monmouth, Departamento de policía del municipio de Lakewood, Unidad de Delitos Callejeros del Departamento de Policía del Municipio de Lakewood, Unidad K-9 del Departamento de Policía del municipio de Lakewood, Departamento de policía del sur de Toms River, South Toms River Police Department K-9 Unit, Brick Township Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit, Eatontown Borough Police Department, Howell Township Police Department K-9 Unit, City of Long Branch Police Department Street Crimes Unit, y la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Ocean, to conduct an investigation into the distribution of cocaine in the Ocean and Monmouth County areas. Esta cooperativa, multi-agency investigation identified a residences in South Toms River and Brick Township as being utilized by Jenkins to store and distribute cocaine. Además, the investigation identified a residence in Long Branch as being utilized by Durand to store and distribute cocaine.
Detectives from the aforementioned law enforcement agencies initiated surveillance on the subject residences in South Toms River, Municipio de ladrillo, and Long Branch in May 2023. En mayo 9, 2023, Detectives observed Jenkins meeting with Durand in Long Branch. Jenkins and Durand were subsequently detained and found to be in possession of approximately one kilogram of cocaine. Jenkins and Durand were thereafter placed under arrest without incident.
Multiple court-authorized search warrants were then executed on all of the subject residences. Como resultado, Las fuerzas del orden incautaron, en combinación, de las tres residencias, aproximadamente 1.25 kilograms of cocaine, $56,000 en moneda de estados unidos, 20 gramos de cocaína crack, y 50 dosage units of heroin. Además, Los detectives incautaron aproximadamente $488,522 in personal banking accounts belonging to Durand, believed to be related to the narcotics distribution network.
Jenkins was initially charged with Distribution of More than Five Ounces of Cocaine, Possession of More than One-Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Crack Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Less than One-Half Ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Posesión de cocaína, Posesión de heroína, Conspiracy to Possess More than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, y facilitación financiera. Jenkins was transported to the Ocean County Jail, y posteriormente liberado como consecuencia de la reforma de la fianza de Nueva Jersey. Jenkins is presently lodged in the Ocean County Jail on unrelated charges.
Durand was initially charged with Possession of More than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of More than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute within 500 feet of a Public Library, Posesión de cocaína, Conspiracy to Possess More than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Posesión de parafernalia de drogas, y facilitación financiera. Durand was transported to the Monmouth County Jail, y posteriormente liberado como consecuencia de la reforma de la fianza de Nueva Jersey.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Senior Assistant Prosecutor Timothy Kelly who is handling the case on behalf of the State, y elogia a la Fuerza de Ataque de Narcóticos de la Oficina del Fiscal del Condado de Ocean, Unidad de Confiscación de Activos de la Oficina del Fiscal del Condado de Ocean, United States Drug Enforcement Administration-High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (LAVADO) Grupo 5, Fuerza de ataque antinarcóticos de la oficina del fiscal del condado de Monmouth, Departamento de policía del municipio de Lakewood, Unidad de Delitos Callejeros del Departamento de Policía del Municipio de Lakewood, Unidad K-9 del Departamento de Policía del municipio de Lakewood, Departamento de policía del sur de Toms River, South Toms River Police Department K-9 Unit, Brick Township Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit, Eatontown Borough Police Department, Howell Township Police Department K-9 Unit, City of Long Branch Police Department Street Crimes Unit, y la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Ocean, for their combined and collective efforts in connection with this investigation leading to Jenkins’ and Durand’s guilty pleas – and soon their state prison sentences.