Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on April 4, 2025, Shawn Garretson, 51, of Jackson, was sentenced by the Honorable Dina M. Vicari, J.S.C., to seven years New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) – with a five year period of parole ineligibility – relative to his previously entered guilty pleas to three counts of being a Certain Person Not to Possess a Weapon, as well as five years NJSP in connection with his previously entered guilty plea to Possession of Methamphetamine, all in connection with incidents that occurred in Jackson Township, Barnegat Township, and the Borough of Tuckerton. The sentences will run concurrently. Garretson pled guilty to all charges before Judge Vicari on February 19, 2025.
On December 10, 2019, in furtherance of an ongoing investigation, the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office, New Jersey State Park Police, Jackson Township Police Department, and Ocean County Regional SWAT Team, executed a court-authorized search warrant on Garretson’s residence on East Bird Village Road in Jackson. As a result, Detectives seized quantities of methamphetamine, marijuana, a sawed-off shotgun, and large capacity ammunition magazines. Garretson was taken into custody at the residence without incident. He was transported to the Ocean County Jail, and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
On December 6, 2022, in furtherance of an ongoing investigation, the Brielle Police Department, Jackson Township Police Department, and Ocean County Regional SWAT Team, executed a court-authorized search warrant on the Garretson residence on East Bird Village Road. As a result, Detectives seized a quantity of methamphetamine, three shotguns, two rifles, and several large capacity ammunition magazines. Garretson was taken into custody at the residence without incident. He was transported to the Ocean County Jail, and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
On March 25, 2024, Officers from the Barnegat Township Police Department responded to a residence on Gunning River Road for a report of an assault. An investigation by responding Officers revealed that two individuals entered the residence and assaulted a male victim. Continuing investigation revealed that Garretson was one of the individuals who entered the residence. On that same date, the Jackson Township Police Department SWAT Team executed a court-authorized Temporary Extreme Risk Protective Order Search Warrant at Garretson’s residence, where Officers located an AR-15 rifle along with other weapons. Garretson was taken into custody without incident, and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
On January 26, 2025, Officers from the Borough of Tuckerton Police Department effectuated a motor vehicle stop on a vehicle operated by Garretson. The Stafford Township Police Department K-9 Unit responded to the scene and the K-9 Officer detected the presence of a controlled dangerous substance in the vehicle. A subsequent search of the vehicle yielded a small quantity of cocaine and a Taurus .40 caliber handgun. Garretson was taken into custody and transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he has been lodged since that date.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Christine Lento who handled these cases on behalf of the State, and commends the Jackson Township Police Department, Jackson Township Police Department SWAT Team, Barnegat Township Police Department, Borough of Tuckerton Police Department, Stafford Township Police Department K-9 Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Squad, Ocean County Regional SWAT Team, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Brielle Police Department, Warren County Prosecutor’s Office, and New Jersey State Park Police, for their combined and collective efforts in connection with these investigations leading to Garretson’s guilty pleas – and now his state prison sentences.