Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on February 16, 2024, Pedro Reyes-Sevilla, 32, of Kenilworth, pled guilty to Possession of Five Ounces or More of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, before the Honorable Guy P. Ryan, P.J.Cr.P., in connection with an investigation that took place during the month of January 2021 in Union and Ocean Counties. At the time of his sentencing on April 12, 2024, the State will be seeking a term of ten years New Jersey State Prison.
A two-week long investigation in January 2021 conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, United States Drug Enforcement Administration – High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas-Monmouth/Ocean Post of Duty (HIDTA/MOPOD) Group 5, Union County Prosecutor’s Office Street Crimes Unit, and Lakewood Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit, revealed that Reyes-Sevilla was distributing cocaine in the Ocean County area.
On January 27, 2021, Detectives from the aforementioned law enforcement agencies established stationary and mobile surveillance on Reyes- Sevilla. On that date, Detectives observed Reyes-Sevilla leave the Elizabeth, New Jersey area and travel to Lakewood. Based upon observations made of Reyes-Sevilla while he was in Elizabeth, Detectives effectuated a motor vehicle stop in Lakewood. Reyes-Sevilla thereafter consented to a search of his motor vehicle. As a result, Detectives recovered more than one kilogram of cocaine. Reyes-Sevilla was taken into custody without incident at the scene. He was transported to the Ocean County Jail, and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform. On December 1, 2022, Reyes-Sevilla was arrested again in Union County on unrelated charges, and has been detained in the Union County Jail since that date.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of 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, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Asset Forfeiture Unit, United States Drug Enforcement Administration – High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas-Monmouth/Ocean Post of Duty (HIDTA/MOPOD) Group 5, Union County Prosecutor’s Office Street Crimes Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit, and Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, for their collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation leading to Reyes-Sevilla’s guilty plea, and soon his state prison sentence.