Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on October 10, 2025, Amir Reid, 32, of Toms River, was sentenced by the Honorable Kimarie Rahill, J.S.C., to six years New Jersey State Prison – with a five year period of parole ineligibility – relative to his previously entered guilty plea to being a Certain Person Not to Possess a Firearm, in connection with an incident that occurred in South Toms River on July 2, 2023. Reid pled guilty to the charge before Judge Rahill on July 15, 2025.
On July 2, 2023, at approximately 5:20 p.m., Officers from the South Toms River Police Department performed a New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission inquiry on a 2016 Chevrolet Impala which was parked at the Wawa convenience store. The inquiry revealed that the registration of the vehicle was expired. As the vehicle exited the parking lot, Officers effectuated a motor vehicle stop and discovered that Reid was operating the vehicle with a male passenger. Reid was unable to provide Officers with valid proof of registration or insurance. Officers ordered both occupants to exit the vehicle while the South Toms River Police Department Narcotics Detection K-9 Unit conducted an open-air sniff of the vehicle. The K-9 detected a positive alert for the odor of narcotics. A subsequent search of the vehicle yielded a quantity of methamphetamine as well as a loaded 9mm Taurus semi-automatic handgun. Further investigation revealed that Reid had a prior conviction for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm – making him a certain person never to lawfully possess a firearm in the State of New Jersey. Both Reid and the passenger of the vehicle were taken into custody and charged accordingly; they were transported to the Ocean County Jail and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
On the date of his guilty plea, Reid exonerated the co-defendant passenger. As such, the charges against that individual have been dismissed in the interests of justice.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Assistant Prosecutor Lynn Juan who handled the case on behalf of the State, and commends the South Toms River Police Department and South Toms River Police Department K-9 Unit for their efforts in connection with this investigation.