Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on September 11, 2026, Phillip Tarver, 41, of Toms River, was sentenced by the Honorable Guy P. Ryan, P.J.Cr.P., to 12 years New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) relative to his previously entered guilty plea to Possession of More than One-Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute in connection with events that occurred in Toms River on January 21, 2025. Additionally, Judge Ryan sentenced Tarver to three years NJSP relative to his previously entered guilty plea to Financial Facilitation in connection with the same incident. Judge Ryan also sentenced Tarver to 12 years NJSP relative to his previously entered guilty plea to Possession of More than One-Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute in connection with an incident that occurred in Toms River on August 12, 2025. Finally, Judge Ryan sentenced Tarver to seven years NJSP in connection with his previously entered guilty plea to Eluding, and three years NJSP relative to his previously entered guilty plea to Financial Facilitation in connection with the events in Toms River on August 12, 2025. The two Narcotics Distribution sentences and the Eluding sentence will be served concurrently; the two Financial Facilitation sentences will run consecutively to those sentences. Tarver pled guilty to all charges on July 6, 2026, before Judge Ryan.
On January 21, 2025, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force were conducting surveillance on Keith Morse, 38, of Toms River, as he met with an undercover Detective to sell cocaine. During that transaction, Detectives observed Morse meeting with an individual – later identified as Tarver. Detectives maintained mobile surveillance on Tarver as he traveled through Toms River. Officers from the Toms River Township Police Department ultimately effectuated a motor vehicle stop of Tarver’s vehicle on Route 37. A Toms River Township Police K-9 Unit responded to the scene and positively identified the presence of narcotics in the vehicle. Tarver’s vehicle was towed to a secure location, and a court-authorized search warrant was obtained to search the vehicle. As a result, Detectives seized quantities of pills, a knife, and approximately $5,300 in United States currency. Tarver was taken into custody and transported to the Ocean County Jail; he was searched at the jail and found to be in possession of approximately 110 grams of crack cocaine. Tarver was charged accordingly and subsequently released from the jail as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
On June 15, 2026, Tarver’s co-defendant, Keith Morse, pled guilty before Judge Ryan to Possession of More than One-Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute. His sentencing remains pending.
On August 12, 2025, in furtherance of a separate ongoing narcotics investigation, Detectives from the Toms River Township Police Department Special Enforcement Team observed Tarver in the area of mile marker 83 on the Garden State Parkway. As Officers from the Toms River Township Police Department attempted to effectuate a motor vehicle stop on Tarver’s vehicle, Tarver was observed throwing items from his vehicle – all the while refusing to stop for the Officers. Tarver then exited the Parkway and continued to drive recklessly through South Toms River, at which time the pursuit was terminated for safety concerns. Officers were able to retrieve the items that Tarver hurled from his vehicle and recovered approximately 21 grams of cocaine. A short time later, Tarver was located in Barnegat Township and taken into custody without incident. Tarver was found to be in possession of approximately $10,000 in United States currency following a search of his person incident to arrest. Tarver was transported to the Ocean County Jail where he has been detained since August 12, 2025.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Senior Assistant Prosecutor Stephen Burke who handled these cases on behalf of the State, and commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Asset Forfeiture Unit, Toms River Township Police Department, Toms River Township Police Department Emergency Services Unit, Toms River Township Police Department Special Enforcement Team, Toms River Township Police Department K-9 Unit, Brick Township Police Department, South Toms River Police Department, Barnegat Township Police Department, Stafford Township Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, and Ocean County Regional SWAT Team, for their combined and collective efforts in connection with these investigations.