El fiscal del condado de Ocean, Bradley D.. Billhimer anunció que en abril 13, 2026, James Malandro, 22, del municipio de Stafford, pled guilty to Distribution of Less than One-Half Ounce of Cocaine and Unlawful Possession of a Handgun before the Honorable Dina M. Vicario, JSC. En el momento de su sentencia en junio 26, 2026, el Estado solicitará una pena de tres años en la Prisión Estatal de Nueva Jersey (NJSP) En cuanto al cargo por distribución de narcóticos., and five years NJSP with a one-year period of parole ineligibility as to the weapon offense. Las oraciones deben ejecutarse simultáneamente..
En agosto 2025, an investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force and Long Beach Township Police Department revealed that Malandro was distributing cocaine in the Ocean County area. Continuing investigation revealed that between August 2025 y octubre 2025, Malandro distributed cocaine to law enforcement officers acting in an undercover capacity on three separate occasions.
En octubre 6, 2025, Detectives established surveillance on Malandro’s residence in Stafford Township. Detectives observed Malandro exit the residence, enter a motor vehicle and leave the area. Detectives effectuated a motor vehicle stop and Malandro was taken into custody without incident. Detectives subsequently executed a court-authorized search warrant on Malandro’s residence. Como resultado, Los detectives incautaron aproximadamente 20 gramos de cocaína, a quantity of Adderall pills, parafernalia de drogas asociada con la distribución de narcóticos, and a loaded handgun. Malandro was charged accordingly, transportado a la cárcel del condado de Ocean, y posteriormente liberado como consecuencia de la reforma de la fianza de Nueva Jersey.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Senior Assistant Prosecutor Stephen Burke who is handling the case on behalf of the State and commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force and Long Beach Township Police Department for their collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation.