Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on February 16, 2022, Daniel Kessel, 35, of Toms River Township, was indicted by a Grand Jury sitting in Ocean County on charges of Maintaining or Operating a Controlled Dangerous Substance Production Facility in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-4; Financial Facilitation of Criminal Activity in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25; Possession of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) with Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(13); Possession of More than Five Pounds of Hashish with Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(10)(a); Possession of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1); and Possession of Hashish in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(3)(b).
An investigation by the Berkeley Township Police Department Detective Bureau determined that Kessel was utilizing a residence in the Holiday City section of Toms River for narcotics distribution purposes. On August 25, 2020, Detectives from the Berkeley Township Police Department executed a court-authorized search warrant on Kessel’s residence. As a result, Detectives seized approximately seven pounds of Hashish, two pounds of THC, drug paraphernalia, equipment and supplies indicative of manufacturing and distributing narcotics, and approximately $18,000 in United States currency. Detectives also learned of a safe deposit box maintained by Kessel at a Bank of America branch in Toms River; on August 26, 2020, Detectives executed a court-authorized search warrant on the safe deposit box, and seized an additional $61,000 in United States currency. Kessel was taken into custody and transported to the Ocean County Jail, and later released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Assistant Prosecutor Genna Moscato who presented the case to the Grand Jury on behalf of the State, as well as the Berkeley Township Police Department Detective Bureau and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their collaborative efforts and assistance in connection with this investigation ultimately leading to Kessel’s arrest and indictment.
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).