Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on December 15, 2023, the Honorable Kimarie Rahill, J.S.C., sentenced Dayewon Crockam, 23, of Lakewood, to seven years New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) as a result of his previously entered guilty plea to Possession of greater than One-Half Ounce but less than Five Ounces of Heroin with Intent to Distribute – in connection with an investigation that occurred in Lakewood Township between January and September 2022. Additionally, Judge Rahill sentenced Crockam to three years NJSP as a result of his previously entered guilty plea to Possession of Crack Cocaine in connection with an unrelated investigation that likewise occurred in Lakewood in October 2020, and three years NJSP as a result of a previously entered guilty plea to Conspiracy to Possess Oxycodone Without a Valid Prescription with respect to an investigation that also occurred in Lakewood in December 2020. The sentences will run concurrently. Crockam pled guilty to all charges before the Honorable Guy P. Ryan, P.J.Cr.P., on October 16, 2023.
An investigation into the distribution of heroin/fentanyl and cocaine in the Ocean County area between the months of January and September 2022 was conducted by Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Narcotics Strike Force, Lakewood Township Police Department Patrol Division, Lakewood Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department Special Response Unit, and Lakewood Township Police Department K-9 Unit. This cooperative investigation identified a residence in Lakewood as being utilized by Crockam to store and distribute illegal narcotics.
On September 16, 2022, Detectives executed a court-authorized search warrant on Crockam’s residence. During the course of the investigation, Detectives observed that Crockam would frequent a neighboring residence; as such, Detectives secured the consent of the neighbor to search that residence. Searches of both residences resulted in Detectives seizing approximately 2,750 wax folds of heroin/fentanyl, 18 grams of cocaine, a loaded 45 caliber handgun with a laser sight and drum-style extended magazine, drug paraphernalia, and approximately $8,100 in United States currency. Crockam was taken into custody without incident at his residence, and has been lodged in the Ocean County Jail since his apprehension.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Assistant Prosecutor Stephen Burke who handled these matters on behalf of the State, as well as the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Asset Forfeiture Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department Patrol Division, Lakewood Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department Special Response Unit, and Lakewood Township Police Department K-9 Unit, for their combined and collective efforts in connection with this investigation leading to Crockam’s apprehension, guilty pleas, and now his state prison sentence.