A Toms River drug dealer busted by the Lakewood Police Department will serve 17 years in prison.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on May 25, 2022, John Williams, 56, of Toms River,was sentenced by the Honorable Guy P. Ryan, P.J.Cr.P., toseventeen years New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) with an eight and one-half years period of parole ineligibility as a result of being found guilty by a jury of his peers of Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(2). Judge Ryan also sentenced Williams to five years NJSP as a result of being found guilty of Possession of Heroin with Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A.2C:35-5a(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(3). The sentences will run concurrently. Williams was found guilty of both charges after a jury trial before Judge Ryan on March 21, 2022.
On November 10, 2020, Detectives from the Lakewood Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit observed Williams and a second individual in a parking lot between 2nd and 3rd Streets – crouched behind two motor vehicles for approximately 30 seconds. The second individual subsequently walked away from the scene. Detectives approached Williams and detected an odor of raw marijuana emanating from his person. A subsequent search of Williams based upon the odor of marijuana resulted in the recovery of 164 wax folds of a compound of heroin, fentanyl and 4-ANPP, approximately 17 grams of cocaine, a quantity of Marijuana, a digital scale, plastic baggies, and approximately $1,250 in United States currency. Williams was taken into custody and transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he has remained since the date of his arrest.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the excellent work of Assistant Prosecutor Victoria Veni who ably tried the case on behalf of the State. The Prosecutor is likewise grateful for the efforts of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Trial Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department, and Lakewood Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit, for their collective assistance in bringing Williams to justice.
Murderers got less time then him.
This is good. Unfortunately, he is likely just a mule; a low level operative who passes the drugs. The real boss isn’t out on the street. He drives a fancy car and parties. This guy will sit in jail but he is easily replaceable. The only good thing about it is that the more these people are locked up, the less likely someone will want to replace them. But the higher ups are still free to continue their drug work.