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 to conduct a two-week long investigation into the distribution of illegal narcotics in the area of the Freedom Village Apartment Complex in Toms River. This cooperative, multi-agency investigation identified Jamar Montgomery, 30, of Lakewood, as utilizing a residence on Dream Court in the apartment complex to store and distribute narcotics.
On February 8, 2024, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force and Toms River Township Police Department established mobile and stationary surveillance on the subject residence. Detectives observed Montgomery exit the residence and enter a motor vehicle; Montgomery then drove the vehicle out of the apartment complex. Detectives performed a New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission inquiry, which revealed that Montgomery’s driving privileges were suspended. As such, Officers from the Toms River Police Department attempted to effectuate a motor vehicle stop on Montgomery’s vehicle. As Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, Montgomery began to drive recklessly – cutting in front of other motorists and eventually entering the Garden State Parkway northbound. Officers notified the New Jersey State Police and terminated the pursuit. Montgomery was thereafter charged with Eluding, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
During the evening hours of February 8, 2024, Detectives from the aforementioned agencies executed a court-authorized search warrant at the subject residence on Dream Court. As a result, Detectives seized approximately 10 grams of crack cocaine, 31 grams of marijuana, two wax folds of heroin, a quantity of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia indicative of narcotics distribution, and approximately $4,850 in United States Currency. As a consequence, Montgomery was additionally charged with Possession of Less than One-Half Ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Less than One-Half Ounce of Crack Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Less than One-Half Ounce of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of One-Half Ounce or More but Less than Five Pounds of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Heroin, Possession of Crack Cocaine, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Financial Facilitation. A second warrant relative to these charges was issued for Montgomery’s arrest.
On February 20, 2024, Detectives observed Montgomery entering the residence on Dream Court. Later, as Montgomery exited the residence and attempted to enter his motor vehicle, Officers from the Toms River Township Police Department Emergency Services Unit approached Montgomery and attempted to place him under arrest. Montgomery evaded the Officers on foot – retreating back into the residence. Initially, Montgomery refused to exit the residence; he eventually surrendered to the Officers and was placed under arrest. Officers than executed a second court-authorized search warrant for the Dream Court residence as well as Montgomery’s motor vehicle. As a result, Officers seized additional quantities of marijuana and drug paraphernalia indicative of narcotics distribution. As a consequence, Montgomery was additionally charged with Possession of More than One Ounce but Less than Five Pounds of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Resisting Arrest by Flight. Montgomery was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
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, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, for their combined and collective assistance 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).