Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on February 20, 2025, Octavaeous Jenkins, 50, of Toms River, pled guilty to Distribution of More than Five Ounces of Cocaine and Possession of More than One Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, before the Honorable Dina M. Vicari, J.S.C. At the time of his sentencing on April 4, 2025, the State will seeking a term of 14 years New Jersey State Prison (NJSP). Additionally Ralph Durand, 58, of Long Branch, pled guilty to Possession of More than One Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, likewise before Judge Vicari. At the time of his sentencing on April 25, 2025, the State will be seeking a term of 10 years NJSP. The charges as to both individuals are in connection with an investigation that occurred in May 2023.
Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force collaborated with the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Asset Forfeiture Unit, United States Drug Enforcement Administration – High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Group 5, Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Lakewood Township Police Department, Lakewood Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department K-9 Unit, South Toms River Police Department, South Toms River Police Department K-9 Unit, Brick Township Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit, Eatontown Borough Police Department, Howell Township Police Department K-9 Unit, City of Long Branch Police Department Street Crimes Unit, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, to conduct an investigation into the distribution of cocaine in the Ocean and Monmouth County areas. This cooperative, multi-agency investigation identified a residences in South Toms River and Brick Township as being utilized by Jenkins to store and distribute cocaine. Additionally, the investigation identified a residence in Long Branch as being utilized by Durand to store and distribute cocaine.
Detectives from the aforementioned law enforcement agencies initiated surveillance on the subject residences in South Toms River, Brick Township, and Long Branch in May 2023. On May 9, 2023, Detectives observed Jenkins meeting with Durand in Long Branch. Jenkins and Durand were subsequently detained and found to be in possession of approximately one kilogram of cocaine. Jenkins and Durand were thereafter placed under arrest without incident.
Multiple court-authorized search warrants were then executed on all of the subject residences. As a result, law enforcement seized – in combination from all three residences – approximately 1.25 kilograms of cocaine, $56,000 in United States currency, 20 grams of crack cocaine, and 50 dosage units of heroin. Additionally, Detectives seized approximately $488,522 in personal banking accounts belonging to Durand, believed to be related to the narcotics distribution network.
Jenkins was initially charged with Distribution of More than Five Ounces of Cocaine, Possession of More than One-Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Crack Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Less than One-Half Ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Heroin, Conspiracy to Possess More than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, and Financial Facilitation. Jenkins was transported to the Ocean County Jail, and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform. Jenkins is presently lodged in the Ocean County Jail on unrelated charges.
Durand was initially charged with Possession of More than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of More than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute within 500 feet of a Public Library, Possession of Cocaine, Conspiracy to Possess More than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Financial Facilitation. Durand was transported to the Monmouth County Jail, and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
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 (HIDTA) Group 5, Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Lakewood Township Police Department, Lakewood Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department K-9 Unit, South Toms River Police Department, South Toms River Police Department K-9 Unit, Brick Township Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit, Eatontown Borough Police Department, Howell Township Police Department K-9 Unit, City of Long Branch Police Department Street Crimes Unit, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, for their combined and collective efforts in connection with this investigation leading to Jenkins’ and Durand’s guilty pleas – and soon their state prison sentences.