Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force collaborated with the Lakewood Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit, Special Response Team, Patrol Division, and K-9 Unit, along with the Toms River Township Police Department Special Enforcement Unit, Emergency Services Unit, Patrol Division, and K-9 Unit, to conduct an investigation into the distribution of narcotics in the Ocean County area. The investigation identified two residences in Toms River, one being utilized by Jamar Montgomery and the other by Kevin Hunter and Diana Mendez, to store and distribute narcotics.
During a two-day operation which began on March 2, 2022, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotic’s Strike Force, Lakewood Township Police Department, and Toms River Township Police Department, conducted surveillance on Montgomery, Hunter, and Mendez. On March 2, 2022, Lakewood Township Police Officers conducted a motor vehicle stop on a vehicle being operated by Montgomery, at which time Montgomery was observed to throw a bag out of the window. Officers recovered the bag and discovered that it contained 250 wax folds of heroin, approximately 30 grams of crack cocaine, and $1300 in United States currency. Montgomery was also found to be in possession of a knife. Montgomery was arrested and transported to the Ocean County Jail.
On March 3, 2022, Officers from the Lakewood Township Police Department Patrol Division and Street Crimes Unit executed a motor vehicle stop on a vehicle operated by Hunter – with Mendez as a passenger. Hunter and Mendez were detained at the scene, and Detectives subsequently executed court-authorized search warrants on the two subject residences in Toms River. As a result, law enforcement seized approximately 30 grams of crack cocaine, digital scales, drug packaging material, and $2500 in United States currency. Hunter and Mendez were arrested and transported to the Ocean County Jail.
Jamar Montgomery, 28, of Lakewood, was charged with Possession of less than One-Half Ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(3); Possession of more than One-Half Ounce but less than Five Ounces of Cocaine 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 Cocaine in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1); Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of Controlled Dangerous Substance Activity in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4.1c; Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5d; Eluding in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:29-2b; and Attempting to Conceal or Destroy Evidence in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:28-6(1). Montgomery is currently lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Kevin Hunter, 33, of Toms River, was charged with Distribution of less than One-Half Ounce of Cocaine in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(3); Possession of more than One-Half Ounce but less than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(2); Possession of more than One-Half Ounce but less than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute within 1000 feet of School Property in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7a; Possession of more than One-Half Ounce but less than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(3); Possession of More than One Ounce but less than Five Pounds of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(11); Possession of Cocaine in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1); Wandering in an Attempt to Obtain or Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:33-2.1; and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:36-2a. Hunter is currently lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Diana Mendez, 33, of Lakewood, was charged with Possession of more than One-Half Ounce but less than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(2); Possession of more than One Ounce but less than Five Pounds of Marijuana With Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(11); Possession of more than One-Half Ounce but less than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute within 1000 feet of School Property in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7a; Possession of Cocaine 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. Mendez is currently lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Asset Forfeiture Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department Special Response Team, Lakewood Township Police Department Patrol Division, Lakewood Township Police Department K-9 Unit, Toms River Township Police Department Special Enforcement Unit, Toms River Township Police Department Emergency Services Unit, Toms River Township Police Department Patrol Division, and Toms River Township Police Department K-9 Unit, 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).