Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on March 3, 2025, Kyree Kennedy, 28, of Lakewood, pled guilty to Possession of More than Five Ounces of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, as well as being a Certain Person Not to Possess a Firearm, before the Honorable Kimarie Rahill, J.S.C., in connection with incidents that occurred between December 2023 and March 2024 in Lakewood Township. At the time of his sentencing on May 9, 2025, the State will be seeking a term of 12 years New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) as to the narcotics charge, and 5 years NJSP – with a 5 year period of parole ineligibility – as to the weapon charge. The sentences are to run concurrently.
Between December 2023 and March 2024, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force collaborated with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration-High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Monmouth/Ocean Post of Duty (HIDTA/MOPOD) Group 5, Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Lakewood Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Lakewood Township Police Department Patrol Division, Lakewood Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit, Jackson Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit, Brick Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit, Toms River Police Department Special Enforcement Team, Manchester Township Police Department Narcotics Enforcement Team, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, to conduct an investigation into the distribution of illegal narcotics and firearms in the Ocean County area. This cooperative, multi-agency investigation identified numerous locations in Lakewood that were being utilized by Kennedy and his five co-defendants to store and distribute firearms, heroin/fentanyl, and crack cocaine in Ocean County. During the course of the investigation, Kennedy was found to have distributed approximately 60 bricks of heroin/fentanyl, as well as a handgun.
On March 28, 2024, Detectives from the aforementioned law enforcement agencies established stationary and mobile surveillance on Kennedy, who was observed to be at a residence on Cedar Bridge Avenue in Lakewood. A short time later, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Lakewood Township Police Department Special Response Team, and Jackson Township Police Department Special Response Team, executed a court-authorized search warrant on the subject residence. As a result, Detectives seized approximately 145 bricks of heroin/fentanyl, a quarter pound of marijuana, assorted drug paraphernalia, and $2,800 in United States currency. Kennedy was taken into custody at the residence without incident, along with co-defendant Kammani Wilson, 27, of Manchester Township.
On that same date, in furtherance of the investigation, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Lakewood Township Police Department Special Response Team, and Jackson Township Police Department Special Response Team, executed three additional court-authorized search warrants on residences in Lakewood.
A search warrant was executed on a residence on River Avenue; as a result, Detectives seized approximately 14 grams of crack cocaine, assorted drug paraphernalia, a firearms suppressor, 43 rounds of 9mm ammunition, and $3,800 in United States currency. Co-defendant Shakira Hill, 36, of Brick Township, was taken into custody at the residence without incident.
A search warrant was executed on a residence on Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard; as a result, Detectives seized approximately six grams of crack cocaine and assorted drug paraphernalia. Co-defendants Tymir Bergstrom, 23, of Lakewood, and Tyquan Jones, 31, of Whiting, were taken into custody at the residence without incident.
A search warrant was executed on yet another residence on Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard; a result, Detectives seized approximately two bricks of heroin and assorted drug paraphernalia. Co-defendant Miguel Gonzales, 54, of Lakewood, was taken into custody at the residence without incident.
Kennedy was initially charged with numerous narcotics and weapons offenses on March 28, 2024. He was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he has been detained since that date. Kennedy’s co-defendants were likewise charged on March 28, 2024 as follows:
Wilson was charged with Possession of More than Five Ounces of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Distribute More than Five Ounces of Heroin, Possession of More than One Ounce but Less than Five Pounds of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Heroin, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Wilson was transported to the Ocean County Jail, and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
Hill was charged with Possession of More than One Half Ounce but less than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Distribute More than Five Ounces of Heroin, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of a Firearms Suppressor, and Financial Facilitation. Hill was transported to the Ocean County Jail, and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
Jones was charged with Possession of Less than One Half Ounce of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Cocaine, Conspiracy to Distribute More than Five Ounces of Heroin, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Jones was transported to the Ocean County Jail, and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
Bergstrom was charged with Possession of Less than One Half Ounce of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Cocaine, Conspiracy to Distribute More than Five Ounces of Heroin, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bergstrom was transported to the Ocean County Jail, processed, and served with the charges via summons pending future appearances in Ocean County Superior Court.
Gonzales was charged with Possession of Less than One Half Ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Heroin, Conspiracy to Distribute More than Five Ounces of Heroin, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Gonzalez was transported to the Ocean County Jail, processed, and served with the charges via summons pending future appearances in Ocean County Superior Court.
The charges against Kennedy’s co-defendants remain pending.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Senior Assistant Prosecutor Timothy Kelly 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, Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Lakewood Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Lakewood Township Police Department Patrol Division, Lakewood Police Department Street Crimes Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department Special Response Team, Jackson Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit, Jackson Township Police Department Special Response Team, Brick Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit, Brick Township Police Department, Toms River Police Department Special Enforcement Team, Manchester Township Police Department Narcotics Enforcement Team, Manchester Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Manchester Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, for their combined and collective assistance in connection with this investigation leading to Kennedy’s guilty pleas, and soon his state prison sentence.
With regard to Kennedy’s co-defendants, 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).