Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force collaborated with the Toms River Police Department Special Enforcement Unit, Toms River Police Department Patrol Division, South Toms River Police Department Detective Bureau, South Toms River Police Department Patrol Division, South Toms River Police Department K-9 Unit, Manchester Township Police Department Narcotics Enforcement Unit, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, to conduct an investigation into the distribution of Heroin in the Ocean County area. This cooperative, multi-agency investigation ultimately identified two residences in South Toms River and a room at the Ocean View Inn and Suites in Toms River as being utilized by Kevin Morrison, Jr., 26, of South Toms River, Daniel Finklin, 26, also of South Toms River, and Rodney Morrison, 35, of Toms River, to store and distribute heroin.
On March 31, 2021, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Ocean County Northern and Southern Regional SWAT Teams, Toms River Police Department Emergency Services Unit, Toms River Police Department Special Enforcement Unit, Toms River Police Department Patrol Division, South Toms River Police Department Detective Bureau, South Toms River Police Department Patrol Division, South Toms River Police Department K-9 Unit, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit participated in the execution of court-authorized search warrants on the three subject premises. As a result, detectives seized approximately 3,210 wax folds of heroin, 52 ecstasy pills, a loaded .38 caliber revolver, drug paraphernalia, and approximately $11,700 in cash. Arrested were:
Kevin Morrison, Jr., charged with Distribution of Less than One-Half Ounce of Heroin in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(3); Possession of Heroin in an Amount Greater than One-Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces with Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(2); Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin in an Amount Greater than One-Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2a(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(2); two counts of Possession of Heroin in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1); Possession of Ecstasy in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1); Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4a(1); Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5b(1); Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a Controlled Dangerous Substance Offense in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4.1a; and Receiving Stolen Property in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-7a. Morrison is currently lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Daniel Finklin, charged with Possession of Heroin in an Amount Greater than One-Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces with Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(2); Possession of Heroin in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1); and Obstruction of Justice in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:29-1a. Finklin is currently lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Rodney Morrison, charged with Distribution of Heroin in an Amount Greater than One-Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(2); Possession of Heroin in an Amount Greater than One-Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces with Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(2); two counts of Possession of Heroin in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1); and Possession of Cocaine in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1). Morrison is currently lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Kiara Rivera, 22, of South Toms River, charged with Possession of Heroin in an Amount Greater than One-Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces with Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(2); Possession of Heroin in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1); Possession of Ecstasy in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1); Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4a(1); Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a Controlled Dangerous Substance Offense in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4.1a; and Receiving Stolen Property in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-7a. Rivera is currently lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Kevin Morrison, Sr., 49, of South Toms River, charged with Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1b(5)(a); Obstruction of Justice in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:29-1a; and Resisting Arrest in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:29-2a(3)(a). Morrison is currently lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Brinda Kennedy, 56, of South Toms River, charged with Possession of Ecstasy in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:36-2a. Kennedy was charged on a summons and released pending a future court date.
Shelly Braker, 32, of Toms River, charged with Possession of Cocaine in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1), and Possession of Heroin in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1). Braker was charged on a summons and released pending a future court date.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Asset Forfeiture Unit, Ocean County Northern and Southern Regional SWAT Teams, Toms River Police Department Special Enforcement Unit, Toms River Police Department Patrol Division, Toms River Police Department Emergency Services Unit, South Toms River Police Department Detective Bureau, South Toms River Police Department Patrol Division, South Toms River Police Department K-9 Unit, Manchester Township Police Department Narcotics Enforcement Unit, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, for their collaborative efforts in connection with this very thorough and extensive investigation.
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.