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OCPO SPECIAL OPERATIONS GROUP CONCLUDES INITIAL SUMMER SWEEP

Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato announced today the culmination of a multi-jurisdictional investigation into alleged heroin drug distribution within Ocean County. In the first of three operational phases of the pre-summer sweep, detectives from the Prosecutor’s Special Operations Group, Northern Enforcement Unit teamed with the Berkeley Township, South Toms River and Toms River Police Departments to arrest six (6) Ocean County residents on various drug charges.

The first phase of the operation involved a two (2) month long undercover investigation in which Detectives obtained five (5) no knock search warrants for residences located in the Manitou Park section of Berkeley Township and South Toms River. On May 25, 2016 at approximately 5:30 am, the partnering agencies, with assistance from the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department, the Ocean County Regional SWAT Team and the NJSP TEAMS Unit executed the no knock search warrants at the subject residences. The investigation and search warrants resulted in a seizure of nearly a thousand bags of heroin, a quantity of marijuana, assorted drug paraphernalia and approximately $6000 in cash.

The search warrants were executed at the following locations:

  • 428 Applegate Avenue, South Toms River the residence of Amanda Pomeroy
  • 159 Attison Ave, South Toms River the residence of Tashema Cottman
  • 254 1st Avenue, Berkeley Township the residence of Jabbar Graham
  • 121 Belmont Drive, South Toms River the residence of Hakim Singleton and Shaquanda Dorsey
  • 21 2nd Avenue, Berkeley Township NJ a residence identified during the investigation as being utilized to facilitate the drug distribution activities of this network

Slide 1

Those arrested as a result of the investigations first phase were as follows:

  1. Tashema Cotman, 38, 159 Attison Avenue, South Toms River, NJ was charged with 5 counts Possession of Heroin, 5 counts of Possession of Heroin under one half ounce with Intent to Distribute and 5 counts of distribution of heroin. Ocean County Superior Court Judge James M. Blaney, JSC set bail at $125,000, no ten percent. Ms. Cotman was subsequently housed in the Ocean County Jail.
  2. Amanda Pomeroy, 27, 428 Applegate Avenue, South Toms River, NJ was charged with 2 counts of Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin. Ocean County Superior Court Judge James M. Blaney, JSC set bail at $25,000, no ten percent. Ms. Pomeroy was subsequently housed in the Ocean County Jail.
  3. Shaquonda Dorsey, 37, 121 Belmont Drive, South Toms River, NJ was charged with 1 count of Conspiracy to  Distribute Heroin. Ocean County Superior Court Judge James M. Blaney, JSC set bail at $50,000, no ten percent. Ms. Dorsey was subsequently housed in the Ocean County Jail.
  4. Hakim Singleton, 38, 121 Belmont Drive, South Toms River, NJ was charged with 4 counts of Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin. Ocean County Superior Court Judge James M. Blaney, JSC set bail at $150,000, cash bail. Mr. Singleton was subsequently housed in the Ocean County Jail.
  5. Jabbar Graham, 38, 254 First Avenue, Berkeley Township, NJ was charged with Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute. Mr. Graham was subsequently released on a summons.
  6. Rachael Cole, 27, 112 Charles Avenue, South Toms River, NJ was charged with Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute. Ms. Cole was subsequently released on a summons.

The second phase of the operation by OCPO’s Special Operations Group, Northern Enforcement Unit and Seaside Heights Police Department involved a month long undercover investigation that that resulted in the arrest of an additional two (2) Ocean County residents on various drug charges into the alleged distribution of prescription pain medication, specifically Oxycodone in the Seaside Heights area. On May 26, 2016 at approximately 12:55 pm, the partnering agencies investigation led to the execution of a no knock search warrant at a residence located at 325 Blaine Avenue Apartment 2, Seaside Heights, NJ. The search would result in the seizure of quantities of Oxycodone prescription pain killers, along with quantities of “Wax” (a derivative of the marijuana plant that is smoked from pipes), assorted drug paraphernalia and approximately $2350 in cash.

The operation resulted in the following two (2) Ocean County residents being arrested and charged:

  1. Kelly Borden, 46, 325 Blaine Avenue, Apt 2, Seaside Heights, NJ was charged with 2 counts Possession of CDS (Oxycodone), 2 counts of   Possession of CDS (Oxycodone) with Intent to Distribute, 2 counts of distribution of CDS (Oxycodone), 1 count of Possession of CDS (Oxycodone) and 1 count of Possession of CDS (Oxycodone) with intent to Distribute. Ocean County Superior Court Judge James M. Blaney, JSC set bail at $25,000, no ten percent. Ms. Borden was subsequently housed in the Ocean County Jail.
  2. Thomas Melvin, 21, 325 Blaine Avenue Apt 2, Seaside Heights, NJ was charged with Possession of Marijuana (Wax), Possession of Marijuana (Wax) with Intent to Distribute and Possession of Drug Paraphernelia. Mr. Melvin was subsequently released on a summons

Slide 1

The final and largest phase of this first Summer Sweep was dubbed “Operation MVP” after Melvin Vankpana, 23, a.k.a. “Money” of Lakewood and Neptune, who the investigation alleges managed and directed the heroin distribution network in Ocean County. This last phase focusing on high level heroin distributors began in late 2015 and culminated on Thursday (June 2, 2016). The investigation alleges that Vankpana’s network was responsible for the import of approximately 25,000 individual dosage units of heroin every week into Ocean County. The investigation identified locations in Toms River, Lakewood, Brick Township, Jackson and Neptune Township where Vankpana and members of his network would facilitate their illicit drug distribution activities, as well as, store quantities of Heroin for distribution.

During the early morning hours of June 2, 2016, detectives from the Special Operations Group Unit, along with members of the Lakewood Township Police ESU, the Brick Township S.E.R.T Team, the Toms River Police E.S.U., the Ocean County Regional SWAT Team, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department, the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force and members of the New Jersey State Police T.E.A.M.S. Unit executed nine no knock search warrants in Lakewood, Brick Township, Jackson and Neptune Township. Simultaneous with the execution of the nine no knock search warrants, members of the U.S. Marshalls Service, along with members of the Prosecutor’s Special Operations Group, the Toms River Police Department and the Lakewood Township Police department responded to residences in Toms River and Lakewood to execute arrest warrants associated with this operation.

Operation “MVP” resulted in the seizure of approximately 8000 individual dosage units of heroin, quantities of prescription pills, cocaine and marijuana, an AR 15 Assault Rifle, a Ruger Semi-Automatic Pistol and approximately $40,000 in cash. Search Warrants were executed at the following locations:

  • 300 Waverly Ave Apartment 29, Neptune Township NJ the residence of Melvin Vankpana a.k.a. “Money”
  • 214 Cedarbridge Avenue Apartment A, Lakewood NJ the residence of Luis Rodriguez a.k.a. “Chino”
  • 220 Cedarbridge Avenue ApartmentB, Lakewood NJ the residence of Altariq Montgomery
  • 131 East 7th Street, Lakewood NJ the residence of Marcus and Tarell Jones a.k.a. “Ruger”
  • 11 Albany Avenue, Jackson NJ the residence of Mathew Green Jr.
  • 452 Lonna Court Brick NJ the residence of Kashawn Cotte
  • 195 Alder Street, Lakewood NJ an additional residence for Tarell Jones a.k.a. “Ruger”
  • 1321 Stark Street Lakewood NJ the residence of Jameer Jones a.k.a. “BS and Ja”
  • 504 Massachusetts Avenue, Lakewood NJ the residence of Candido Jackson a.k.a. “GU and Gorilla”

Members of the U.S. Marshalls Service along with members of the Prosecutor’s Special Operations Group, the Toms River Police Department and the Lakewood Township Police Department responded to 1005 Arlington Drive, Toms River NJ the residence of Jerron Evans a.k.a. “Hove” and William Davis a.k.a. “Stinkum” regarding the execution of arrest warrants on Evans and Davis. A search of that residence was also conducted.

Members of the U.S. Marshalls Service along with members of the Prosecutor’s Special Operations Group, the Toms River Police Department and the Lakewood Township Police Department responded to 208 Cedarbridge Avenue Apartment A, Lakewood NJ the residence of Nyshawne Sutton a.k.a. “Chub and Harlem” regarding the execution of arrest warrants on Sutton. A search of that residence was also conducted.

No Knock Bust 2016 - MVP

The following eighteen (18) individuals were arrested as a result of operation “MVP”

Melvin Vankpana, 23, Bail $300,000 Cash Only

300 Waverly Avenue, Apartment 929, Neptune Township NJ (Home Address)

Charged with Leader of a Narcotics Trafficking Network, Possession of Heroin, Possession of over one half ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin and Distribution of over one half ounce of Heroin.

Luis Rodriguez, 26, Bail $150,000 No 10 Percent

214 Cedarbridge Avenue, Apartment A, Lakewood NJ (Home Address)

Charged with Possession of Heroin and Cocaine, Possession of over one half ounce of Heroin and Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin and Distribution of over one half ounce of Heroin and Cocaine

Quaoirah Vaughn/Rodriguez,23, Released on a Summons

214 Cedarbridge Avenue, Apartment A, Lakewood NJ (Home Address)

Charged with Possession of Heroin, Cocaine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Nyshawne Sutton, 35, Bail $150,000 Cash Only

208 Cedarbridge Avenue Apartment A, Lakewood NJ (Home Address)

Charged with Possession of Heroin, Possession of over one half ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin and Distribution of over one half ounce of Heroin.

Marcus Jones, 40, Bail $150,000 No 10%

131 East Seventh Street, Lakewood NJ (Home Address)

Charged with Possession of Heroin, Possession of over one half ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin and Distribution of over one half ounce of Heroin.

Tarell Jones, 26, Bail $150,000 No 10%

195 Alder Sreet, Lakewood NJ (Home Address)

Charged with Possession of Heroin, Possession of over one half ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin and Distribution of over one half ounce of Heroin.

Mathew Green, 27, Bail $200,000 No 10%

11 Albany Avenue, Jackson NJ (Home Address)

Charged with Possession of Heroin, Possession of over one half ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin and Distribution of over one half ounce of Heroin.

Timothy Moore, 20, Released on a Summons

11 Albany Avenue, Jackson NJ (Home Address)

Charged with Possession of Heroin and Marijuana.

Kashawn Cotte, 24, Bail $100,000 No 10%

452 Lonna Court, Brick NJ (Home Address)

Charged with Possession of Heroin, Possession of over one half ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin and Distribution of over one half ounce of Heroin.

Jerron Evans, 33, Bail $200,000 Cash Only

1005 Arlington Drive, Toms River NJ (Home Address)

Charged with Possession of Heroin, Possession of over one half ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin, Distribution of over one half ounce of Heroin, Possession of a firearm during a CDS Offense and Certain Persons not to Possess a Firearm..

William Davis, 20, Bail $100,000 Cash Only

1005 Arlington Drive, Toms River NJ (Home Address)

Charged with Possession of Heroin, Possession of over one half ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin, Distribution of over one half ounce of Heroin and Possession of a firearm during a CDS Offense.

Samora Burgess, 28, Bail $750,000 No 10 %

1005 Arlington Drive, Toms River NJ (Home Address)

Charged with Possession of Heroin, Possession of over one half ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin, Distribution of over one half ounce of Heroin, Possession of a firearm during a CDS Offense.

Candido Jackson, 28, Bail $150,000 No 10%

504 Massachusetts Avenue, Lakewood NJ (Home Address)

Charged with Possession of Heroin, Possession of over one half ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin and Distribution of over one half ounce of Heroin.

Yahnie Patterson, 28, Bail $150,000 Cash Only

Currently Incarcerated in the Monmouth County Jail

Charged with Possession of Heroin, Possession of over one half ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin and Distribution of over one half ounce of Heroin.

Nakayla Adams, 25, Bail $75,000 No 10%

31 Wicker Place, Morganville NJ (Home Address)

Charged with Possession of Heroin, Possession of over one half ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin and Distribution of over one half ounce of Heroin.

Aniya Lynn, 25, Bail $100,000 No 10%

2250 West County Line Road Apartment B 14 Jackson NJ (Home Address)

Charged with Possession of Heroin, Possession of over one half ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin and Distribution of over one half ounce of Heroin.

Erika Ortiz, 24, Bail $100,000 No 10%

32 Merlin Avenue, Lakewood NJ (Home Address)

Charged with Possession of Heroin, Possession of over one half ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin and Distribution of over one half ounce of Heroin.

Altariq Montgomery, 22, Released on a Summons

11 Albany Avenue, Jackson NJ (Home Address)

Charged with Possession of CDS (Percocet).

Still at Large:

  • Jameer Jones, 22, of 1321 Stark Street, Lakewood NJ Bail $150,000 cash only wanted for Possession of Heroin, Possession of over one half ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin and Distribution of over one half ounce of Heroin.
  • Dasean Donaldson, 20, of 15 Sylvan Court Lakewood NJ Bail $100,000 no 10 % wanted for Possession of Heroin, Possession of over one half ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin and Distribution of over one half ounce of Heroin.
  • Dajun Morris, 23, of 1313 Marshall Street, Lakewood NJ Bail $100,000 no 10 % wanted for Possession of Heroin, Possession of over one half ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin and Distribution of over one half ounce of Heroin.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of these individuals are asked to contact the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Special Operations Group at 732-341-6150 or 732-929-2027.  This investigation is continuing and additional arrests are forthcoming.

All of the aforementioned bails were set by the Honorable Ocean County Superior Court Judge James M. Blaney, JSC. All of the arrested individuals who had bails set were transported to the Ocean County Jail in lieu of the listed bail.

The following vehicles were seized as a result of operation ‘MVP”:

  • Black 2012 BMW X6 – A vehicle utilized by Melvin Vankpana.
  • Black 2013 Hyundai Elantra – A vehicle utilized by Kashawn Cotte

This operation involved the strength of the following agencies, in addition to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Operations Group”:

  • Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Operations Group
  • Brick Township Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit
  • Brick Township Police Department Emergency Services Unit
  • Toms River Police Emergency Services Unit
  • Toms River Police Department K-9 Unit
  • Toms River Police Department Special Enforcement Team
  • Lakewood Township Police Department SWAT Team
  • Lakewood Township Police Street Crimes Unit
  • Manchester Police Department
  • Manchester Township Police Special Enforcement Team
  • Berkeley Township Police Department
  • South Toms River Police Department
  • Lacey Township Police Department
  • Ocean Township Police Department
  • Jackson Township Police Department
  • Barnegat Township Police Department Narcotics Unit
  • Little Egg Harbor Police Department
  • Stafford Township Police Department
  • New Jersey State Police TEAMS Unit
  • New Jersey State Police K-9 Unit
  • Ocean County Sheriff’s Department K-9 Unit
  • Ocean County Sheriff’s Department C.S.I.
  • Ocean County Regional SWAT Team
  • Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force
  • Neptune Township Police Department
  • United States Marshalls Service

The media and public are reminded that criminal charges are merely accusations and that these defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Follow the Office of the Ocean County Prosecutor online at Twitter and Facebook. The social media links provided are for reference only. The OCPO does not endorse any non-governmental websites, companies or applications.  For additional information visit our website at oceancountyprosecutor.org.