Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato announced today the arrest of several individuals as a result of a cooperative multi-jurisdictional investigation conducted by the Prosecutor’s Special Operations Group, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Newark Division, the South Brunswick Police Department along with other state, county and local law enforcement agencies.

The investigation, identified as “Operation Road Runner” began in August of 2012 and culminated on Friday April 5, 2013. Over a four day period beginning Tuesday April 2, 2013, Police executed search warrants in Ocean, Mercer, Essex and Monmouth counties resulting in the arrest of 25 area men and women on various drug, weapons and money laundering charges. Included among the arrestees was a Lavallette Police Dispatcher identified as Kathy Anne Graham age 57 of Toms River as well as an employee of the Manalapan School District.

Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato stated, “Today is just the first the many successful multi-jurisdictional cooperative investigations that the Special Operations Group will be responsible for during my tenure as County Prosecutor. The success of this investigation is a direct result of the cooperation between the federal, state, county and local law enforcement agencies that participated in this operation. I am heartened by the dedication of those individuals and agencies that participated.”

Acting Special Agent in Charge of DEA’s New Jersey Division, Robert G. Koval, stated, “This case represents another outstanding victory achieved with the collaboration of law enforcement resources between Ocean County, the South Brunswick Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and other state and local law enforcement entities. The investigation also revealed the ever-increasing domestic use of

the US Postal system parcel service to distribute illicit drugs in smaller quantities to numerous destinations, designed to lower transportation expenses, increase frequency of supply distribution, minimize risk, and evade law enforcement authorities. The collective persistence, diligence, and dedicated law enforcement efforts exhibited by all the participants is exceptionally noteworthy and greatly appreciated by DEA”.

The seven-month long investigation involved the following agencies, in addition to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Operations Group:

Drug Enforcement Administration, Newark Division

Drug Enforcement Administration, Newark Division, Asset Forfeiture Unit

United States Postal Inspection Service

South Brunswick Police Department

Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crimes Unit

Brick Township Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit

Brick Township Police Department K-9 Unit

Brick Township Police Department Emergency Services Unit

Toms River Police Department Emergency Services Unit

Toms River Police Department K-9 Unit

Toms River Police Department Operations Bureau

Lakewood Township Police Emergency Services Unit

Lakewood Township Police Street Crimes Unit

Berkeley Township Police Department

Lacey Township Police Department

Lakehurst Borough Police Department

Ocean County Department of Corrections

Manchester Township Police Department

Barnegat Township Police Department Narcotics Unit

Little Egg Harbor Police Department

Stafford Township Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit

Stafford Township Police Department K-9 Unit

New Jersey State Police Electronic Surveillance Unit

Ocean County Regional S.W.A.T. Team

Ocean County Sheriffs Department K-9 Unit

Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office

Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office

West Windsor Police Department

Essex County Prosecutor’s Office

North Caldwell Police Department

This investigation established probable cause to obtain search warrants, which were executed at homes and businesses located in Lakewood, Manchester Township, Toms River, Brick Township, West Windsor (Mercer County), North Caldwell (Essex County), and Tinton Falls (Monmouth County).

As a result of the execution of the search warrants law enforcement authorities confiscated over twenty pounds of marijuana, large quantities of MDMA (Ecstasy), prescription pills including Oxycodone, Roxicet, Zanax, Methadone and Suboxone, multiple firearms including a loaded Smith and Wesson 44 Magnum handgun, a loaded 9mm American Tactical pistol, a Weatherby 7 mm rifle, large quantities of L.S.D. and psilocybin mushrooms as well as approximately $91,000 in cash. Police also seized several bank accounts that were found to contain proceeds from this illicit drug network, one of which contained approximately $70,000 in drug proceeds. The investigation regarding the seized bank accounts is continuing and the total amount to be seized from the various banks has yet to be determined. Drug paraphernalia, including packaging and distribution materials as well as electronic scales utilized to weigh CDS were also seized in the raids.

Search Warrants were executed at the following locations during the early morning hours of Tuesday April 2, 2013:

The residence of Jeremy Zahn of Brick NJ

The residence of Mary Zahn of Manchester NJ

J & N Auto and Performance of Toms River NJ

The residence of Brian Suzuki of Toms River NJ

The residence of Ian Elkins of Manchester NJ

The residence of Nicholas Santillo of Lakewood NJ

The residence of Jacob Prestia of Toms River NJ

The residence of Deven Skyers of Toms River NJ

A search of Stephan Regan’s Toms River Auction in Toms River NJ was also conducted on Tuesday April 2, 2013.

Search Warrants were executed at the following locations during the early morning hours of Wednesday April 3, 2013:

The residence of Joseph Schmidt in Toms River NJ

The residence of Michael Battista in Toms River NJ

A Search Warrant was executed at the following location during the early morning hours of Friday April 5, 2013:

The residence of Joanne K. Murray in North Caldwell NJ

A search of an alternate address for Joanne K. Murray, specifically in Wayne NJ was also conducted on Friday April 5, 2013.

Also on Friday April 5, 2013 member’s of the Prosecutor’s Special Operations Group along with member’s of the Toms River Police Department, Operations Bureau conducted a search of the Toms River residence of Frank Casulli and Melissa Amos. As a result approximately 1200 prescription pills including Alprazolam (Zanax), Methadone, Anabolic Steroids, quantities of Marijuana, Hashish, two loaded handguns, a rifle along with drug paraphernalia including packaging materials and scales were seized. The current charges for Mr. Casulli and Ms. Amos are detailed below.

The following individuals were arrested as a result of this cooperative multi-jurisdictional investigation:

Jeremy Zahn age 25 of Brick NJ: Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute over five pounds of Marijuana, Financial Facilitation of Criminal Activity (Money Laundering), Conspiracy to commit Financial Facilitation of Criminal Activity (Money Laundering) and Leader of a Narcotics Trafficking Network. The Honorable Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson JSC set bail for Mr. Zahn at $500,000 cash.

Mary Zahn age 51 of Manchester NJ: Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute over five pounds of Marijuana. The Honorable Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson JSC set bail for Ms. Zahn at $50,000 no ten percent.

Miguel Serrano Jr. age 21 of Brick NJ: Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute over five pounds of Marijuana and Conspiracy to commit Financial Facilitation of Criminal Activity (Money Laundering). The Honorable Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson JSC set bail for Mr. Serrano Jr. at $100,000 no ten percent.

Bryan Suzuki age 21 of Toms River NJ: Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute over five pounds of Marijuana, Possession of Marijuana over fifty grams, Possession of Marijuana over fifty grams but less than five pounds with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) and Possession of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) with Intent to Distribute. The Honorable Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson JSC set bail for Mr. Brian Suzuki Jr. at $100,000 no ten percent.

Christian Suzuki age 22 of Toms River NJ: Possession of Marijuana over fifty grams and Possession of Marijuana over fifty grams but less than five pounds with Intent to Distribute. Christian Suzuki was released on a summons.

Richard M. Rodriguez age 22 of Toms River NJ: Possession of Marijuana over fifty grams and Possession of Marijuana over fifty grams but less than five pounds with Intent to Distribute. Richard Rodriguez was released on a summons.

Ian Elkins age 23 of Manchester NJ: Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute over five pounds of Marijuana. The Honorable Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson JSC set bail for Mr. Elkins at $50,000 no ten percent.

Matthew C. Humbert age 28 of Manchester NJ: Possession of Anabolic Steroids. Matthew C. Humbert was released on a summons.

Jonathan A. Watts age 28 of Manchester NJ: Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Jonathan A. Watts was released on a summons.

Nicholas Santillo age 22 of Lakewood NJ: Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute over five pounds of Marijuana. The Honorable Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson JSC set bail for Mr. Santillo at $50,000 no ten percent.

Jacob Prestia age 29 of Toms River NJ: Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to distribute over five pounds of Marijuana, Conspiracy to commit Financial Facilitation of Criminal Activity (Money Laundering), Possession of Anabolic Steroids, Possession of marijuana with Intent to distribute and Possession of Marijuana over fifty grams. The Honorable Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson JSC set bail for Mr. Serrano Jr. at $150,000 no ten percent.

Jenny Thompson age 25 of Jackson NJ: Possession of Marijuana over fifty grams and Possession of Marijuana over fifty grams but less than five pounds with Intent to Distribute. Jenny Thompson was released on a summons.

Stephen P. Regan age 46 of Toms River NJ: Possession of Marijuana over fifty grams and Possession of Marijuana over fifty grams but less than five pounds with Intent to Distribute. Stephan Regan was released on a summons.

Deven Skyers age 19 of Toms River NJ: Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute over five pounds of Marijuana. The Honorable Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson JSC set bail for Mr. Skyers at $75,000 no ten percent.

Joseph Schmidt age 26 of Toms River NJ: Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute over five pounds of Marijuana, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Packaging Materials and Digital Scales). The Honorable Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson JSC set bail for Mr. Schmidt at $50,000 no ten percent.

Michael Battista age 28 of Toms River NJ: Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute over five pounds of Marijuana, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of

Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD), Possession of Psilocybin Mushrooms, Possession of MDMA (Ecstasy), Possession of MDMA (Ecstasy) with Intent to Distribute and Possession of Hashish. The Honorable Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson JSC set bail for Mr. Battista at $50,000 no ten percent.

Michael E. Boggess age 28 of Cookstown NJ: Possession of CDS (Oxycodone). Mr. Boggess was released on a summons.

Tyler Sargent age 21 of Seaside Park NJ: Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute over five pounds of Marijuana. The Honorable Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson JSC set bail for Mr. Sargent at $50,000 no ten percent.

William Thomas age 27 of Brick NJ: Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute over five pounds of Marijuana. The Honorable Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson JSC set bail for Mr. Thomas at $50,000 no ten percent.

Kellee Graham age 28 of Toms River NJ: Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute over five pounds of Marijuana. The Honorable Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson JSC set bail for Ms. Graham at $75,000 no ten percent.

Kathy Anne Graham age 57 of Toms River NJ: Hindering the detention, apprehension, investigation, prosecution, conviction and/or punishment of Jeremy Zahn and others by warning Kelle Graham, Jeremy Zahn and others of impending apprehension by law enforcement in connection of crimes of the second degree or greater.

The Honorable Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson JSC set bail for Ms. Kathy Anne Graham at $35,000 with the ten percent option.

Melissa Amos age 22 Toms River NJ: Possession of CDS (Alprazolam), Possession of CDS (Alprazolam) with intent to Distribute, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Marijuana with Intent to distribute, Possession of a firearm specifically a loaded Smith and Wesson .44 Caliber Handgun and a loaded 9mm American Tactical Handgun while committing a CDS offense and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Packaging Materials and a Scale). The Honorable Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson JSC set bail for Ms. Amos at $100,000 cash.

Frank Casulli age 25 of Toms River NJ: Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute over five pounds of Marijuana, Possession of CDS (Alprazolam), Possession of CDS (Alprazolam) with intent to Distribute, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Marijuana with Intent to distribute, Possession of a firearm specifically a loaded Smith and Wesson .44 Caliber Handgun and a loaded 9mm American Tactical Handgun while committing a CDS offense and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Packaging Materials and a Scale). The Honorable Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson JSC set bail for Mr. Casulli at $35,000 no ten percent for the Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute over five pounds charge. The Honorable Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson JSC set bail for Mr. Casulli at $100,000 cash for the remaining charges.

As a result of this investigation 15 vehicles (pictured) were identified as being utilized by the listed participants of this drug distribution network to facilitate their drug distribution activities. The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Operation Group along with members of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Newark Division Asset Forfeiture Unit seized the following vehicles, all of which are now pending forfeiture proceedings:

Tyler Sargent – 2010 White Jeep Wrangler

Tyler Sargent – 2009 Blue Nissan 370Z

Jacob Prestia – 2008 Black Audi A4

Jeremy Zahn- 2001 Gray Audi A4

Jeremy Zahn- 2007 Blue Audi RS4

Jeremy Zahn- 2004 Red/Black CVR (Motorcycle)

Ian Elkins – 2010 Black Audi A4

Ian Elkins – 2008 White Audi A4

Ian Elkins – 2010 White Jetta

Nicholas Santillo – 2010 Black VW GTI

Joseph Schmidt – 2004 Gold Lincoln Aviator

Deven Skyers – 2001 Black Jeep Grand Cherokee

Michael Battista – 2010 Silver VW Jetta

Miguel Serrano Jr. – 1998 Black Ford Mustang GT

Frank Casulli – 2005 Gray Hyundai Sonata

This investigation is continuing and additional arrests are expected.

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