Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force collaborated with Detectives from the Berkeley Township Police Department to conduct a month-long investigation into the distribution of illegal narcotics in Ocean County. This cooperative, multi-agency investigation identified William Manser, 44, and Jaquelynn Smith, 33, both of Berkeley Township, and Justina Candelaria, 44, of Barnegat, as utilizing a residence in Berkeley Township to store and distribute illegal narcotics.
As part of the ongoing narcotics investigation, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force and Berkeley Township Police Department established stationary and mobile surveillance on the subject residence on March 20, 2024. Detectives subsequently observed Manser and Candelaria exit the residence. Both Manser and Candelaria were detained by Detectives pending further investigation. Candelaria was found to be in possession of approximately one ounce of Methamphetamine. Manser was also found to be in possession of a quantity of Crack Cocaine. On that date, the Ocean County Regional SWAT Team executed a court-authorized search warrant on the subject residence. As a result, Detectives seized approximately six ounces of Methamphetamine, quantities of Heroin, Crack Cocaine, Methyl enedioxy methamphetamine (MDMA), and various items of drug paraphernalia. Smith – who was present at the residence at the time of the search warrant execution- was taken into custody without incident.
Manser was charged with Possession of Five Ounces or More of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Less than One-Half Ounce of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Less than One-Half Ounce of Crack Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Five Ounces or More of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute Within 500 feet of a Public Housing Project, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Heroin, Possession of Crack Cocaine, Possession of MDMA, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Manser was transported to the Ocean County Jail, and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
Candelaria was charged with Possession of More than One-Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Methamphetamine, Wandering to Obtain or Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Candelaria was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where she is presently detained on unrelated charges.
Smith was charged with Possession of Five Ounces or More of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Less than One-Half Ounce of Crack Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Five Ounces or More of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute Within 500 feet of a Public Housing Project, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Heroin, Possession of Crack Cocaine, Possession of MDMA, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Smith was transported to the Ocean County Jail, and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Berkley Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Berkeley Township Police Department Patrol Division, and Ocean County Regional SWAT Team, 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).