Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force collaborated with the Toms River Township Police Department, Brick Township Police Department, Seaside Heights Police Department, Stafford Township Police Department, and South Toms River Police Department, to conduct a month-long investigation into the distribution of illegal narcotics in Ocean County. This cooperative, multi-agency investigation identified a residence on Walnut Street in Toms River as being utilized by Keith Morse, 20, of Toms River, to store and distribute Crack Cocaine.
On January 21, 2025, Detectives from the aforementioned agencies established surveillance on the subject residence. Detectives observed Morse meeting with an individual, later identified as Phillip Tarver, 41, of Toms River. Detectives maintained mobile surveillance of Tarver as he traveled through Toms River. Officers from the Toms River Township Police Department ultimately effectuated a motor vehicle stop of Tarver’s vehicle on Route 37. A Toms River Township Police K-9 Unit responded to the scene, and positively identified the presence of narcotics in the vehicle. Tarver’s vehicle was towed to a secure location, and a court-authorized search warrant was obtained to search the vehicle. As a result, Detectives seized quantities of pills and crack cocaine, a knife and approximately $5300 in United States Currency. Tarver was taken into custody and transported to the Ocean County Jail. At the jail, Tarver was searched by jail personnel and found to be in possession of approximately 110 grams of crack cocaine. Tarver was charged with Distribution of Less than One Half Ounce of Cocaine, Possession of More than One Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Less than One Half Ounce of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Distribute More than One Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Cocaine, two counts of Possession of Cocaine, two counts of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) Offense, Financial Facilitation, and Wandering to Obtain/Distribute CDS. Tarver was transported to the Ocean County Jail, and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform
On February 6, 2025, Detectives once again established surveillance on Morse and observed him enter a residence in Toms River. Morse was thereafter taken into custody at the residence without incident. Subsequent to Morse’s arrest, Officers from the Toms River Township Police Department executed a court-authorized search warrant on the residence. As a result, Detectives seized additional quantities of cocaine along with materials indicative of drug distribution. Present in the residence at the time of the search warrant execution was Dominique Swain, 28, of Toms River, who was also taken into custody without incident.
During the course of the investigation, Detectives developed information that an associate of Morse, Alexis Johnson, 27, of Lakewood, was in possession of cocaine. On February 6, 2025, Detectives effectuated a motor vehicle stop on a vehicle operated by Johnson as she traveled through Seaside Heights. Johnson and a passenger in the vehicle, identified as Laneah Shade, 18, of Bayville, were taken into custody without incident. A search incident to Johnson’s arrest revealed her to be in possession of quantities of cocaine and Percocet tablets.
Morse was charged with Distribution of More than One Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Cocaine, Possession of More than One Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Distribute More than One Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Cocaine, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child – due to the fact that a minor was present during narcotics transactions. Morse was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
Johnson was charged with Distribution of Cocaine, Possession of More than One Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Distribute More than One Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Cocaine, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Percocet tablets, and Wandering to Obtain/Distribute CDS. Johnson was transported to the Ocean County Jail, and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
Swain was charged with Conspiracy to Distribute More than One Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Cocaine, Possession of Cocaine, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Johnson was transported to the Ocean County Jail, processed, and served with the charges via summons pending an upcoming first appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.
Shade was charged with Conspiracy to Distribute More than One Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Cocaine. Shade was transported to the Ocean County Jail, processed, and served with the charges via summons pending an upcoming first appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Asset Forfeiture Unit, Toms River Township Police Department, Toms River Township Police Department Emergency Services Unit, Toms River Township Police K-9 Unit, Brick Township Police Department, South Toms River Police Department, Stafford Township Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit, and Ocean County Regional SWAT Team, for their combined and collective efforts in connection with this investigation.
The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).