Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that 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 a four month-long investigation into the distribution of illegal narcotics and firearms in the Ocean County area. This cooperative, multi-agency investigation identified multiple locations in Lakewood Township that were being utilized by Kyree Kennedy, 28, of Lakewood, and his 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 59 bricks of heroin/fentanyl and 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. Taken into custody at the residence were Kennedy and Kammani Wilson, 27, of Manchester.
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 Township.
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. Shakira Hill, 36, of Brick Township, was taken into custody at the residence.
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. Taken into custody at that residence were Tymir Bergstrom, 23, of Lakewood, and Tyquan Jones, 31, of Whiting.
A search warrant was executed on yet another residence on Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. As a result, Detectives seized approximately two bricks of heroin and assorted drug paraphernalia. Miguel Gonzales, 54, of Lakewood, was taken into custody at the residence.
Kennedy was charged with Possession of More than Five Ounces of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Possession of More than One Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Heroin/Fentanyl with Intent to Distribute, Possession of More than One Half Ounce but less than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of More than One Ounce but Less than Five Pounds of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Distribute More than Five Ounces of Heroin/Fentanyl, Possession of Heroin, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of a Firearm During a Controlled Dangerous Substance Offense, Certain Person Not to Possess a Firearm, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, and Financial Facilitation. Kennedy was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he remains detained pending trial.
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 an upcoming first appearance 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 an upcoming first appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.
Prosecutor Billhimer 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.
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).