Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato announced today the culmination of two cooperative multi-jurisdictional narcotics investigations conducted by the Prosecutor’s Special Operations Group, along with federal, state, county and local law enforcement agencies. The investigations focused on high level heroin distributors found to be operating in Union, Ocean, Monmouth and Atlantic counties, as well as, Philadelphia, PA. During the course of the both investigations, approximately forty additional law enforcement personnel were assigned to the OCPO Special Operations Group. Multiple agencies within and outside Ocean County assisted in every aspect of both investigations. The investigations, identified as Operations “Broken Rule” and “Sin City” began in December of 2014 and culminated this week. The two heroin networks were responsible for the import of over a kilogram of heroin a week into Ocean County. A kilogram of heroin equates to approximately 50,000 individual dosage units of heroin.

Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato stated, “These simultaneous operations are incredible investigative feats. Beyond the approximate street value of over $325,000 in heroin seized during operations “Broken Rule” and “Sin City”, this outstanding Law Enforcement partnership has extended the reach and effectiveness of Ocean County law enforcement far beyond our borders.”

The investigation deemed operation “Sin City’ by the OCPO Special Operations Group identified Jonathan Gonzalez, 32, a.k.a. “Sin” (hence the name “Sin City”) of Pleasantville and Toms River as allegedly managing and directing a heroin distribution network in Ocean and Atlantic counties. The investigation revealed that Mr. Gonzalez was allegedly importing quantities of pre-packaged, as well as raw or uncut heroin into Ocean County for distribution. The investigation identified locations in Toms River where Gonzalez and members of his network would prepare and package the raw or uncut heroin for re-distribution into individual dosage units. The “Sin City” operation culminated during the evening hours of April 23, 2015, when detectives from the Special Operations Group surveilled Mr. Gonzalez along with Faythe Darling, 29, of Toms River and Miasia S. Johnson, 21, of Barnegat returning from Philadelphia with quantities of raw, uncut heroin, as well as packaging materials used to convert raw heroin into individual dosage units. Members of the Special Operations Group, along with members of the Manchester Police Department, conducted a motor vehicle stop on the vehicle utilized by Mr. Gonzalez and two other aforementioned Ocean County residents on Route 70 in the area of Route 539 in Manchester Township that resulted in their arrest on various drug charges.

Simultaneously with the arrests of Gonzalez, Darling and Johnson, members of the Special Operations Group and the partnering law enforcement agencies executed search warrants in Toms River, Barnegat, South Toms River, Brick Township and Pleasantville, NJ. As a result of the search warrants executed during operation “Sin City”, police seized approximately 25 grams of raw heroin, quantities of pre-packaged heroin, cash, packaging materials associated with the preparation, packaging and distribution of heroin. Police also searched and seized four motor vehicles that were identified as being utilized by this drug distribution network.

During the course of the second investigation, Operation “Broken Rule”, members of the Special Operations Group identified Ocean County residents specifically, Bertrick Artis, 45, a.k.a. “King Rule” (hence the name “Broken Rule”), of Lakewood and his son, Ashzon Artis, 25, also of Lakewood as allegedly importing heroin from the Elizabeth, New Jersey area into Ocean County. Operation “Broken Rule” culminated during the evening hours of March 31, 2015, when detectives from the Special Operations Group teamed up with members of the Union County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force and members of the Elizabeth Police Department. The investigation led Ocean County Detectives to a mall in Elizabeth where Bertrick Artis, Ashzon Artis and Angelique Morris, 23, of Tinton Falls in Monmouth County were attempting to purchase quantities of heroin from Javier Cruz, 25, and Kennin Chavez, 19, from the Bronx, NY. Detectives from the Special Operations Group, Union County Narcotics Task Force and the Elizabeth Police Department subsequently arrested the aforementioned individuals who were then transported back to Ocean County. Their arrests were not announced earlier so as not to jeopardize the continuing “Sin City” operation.

Simultaneously with the arrests in Elizabeth, members of the Special Operations Group and the partnering law enforcement agencies executed five search warrants in Lakewood, Toms River, Lakehurst, Barnegat, Ocean Township (Waretown) and Jackson Township. As a result of the search warrants executed during operation “Broken Rule” police seized large amounts of heroin, cash, several illegal firearms to include an assault style firearm and packaging materials associated with the distribution of heroin. Police also searched and seized 10 motor vehicles that were identified as being utilized by this drug distribution network.

Both Operations yielded the arrest of 34 individuals on various drug and weapons charges, seized nearly 31,000 individual dosage units of heroin, approximately 25 grams of raw heroin, approximately $140,000 in cash, 14 motor vehicles (one of which was equipped with an electronic “TRAP” utilized to conceal CDS), six firearms to include a TEC- 9 assault weapon (All weapons seized in Operation Broken Rule) and materials consistent with a CDS manufacturing and production facility.

This investigation is continuing and additional arrests are forthcoming. Both operations involved the strength of the following agencies, in addition to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Operations Group”:

Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office
Brick Township Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit
Brick Township Police Department Special Enforcement Team
Brick Township Police Department K-9 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 Operations Bureau
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
Lakehurst Police Department
Berkeley Township Police Department
South Toms River Police Department
Lacey Township Police Department
Ocean Township Police Department
Ocean County Department of Corrections
Jackson Township Police Department
Seaside Heights 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
Ocean County Regional SWAT Team
Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force
Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force
Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Gangs, Guns, Drugs and Narcotics Unit
Atlantic City Task Force – comprised of members of the NJ Division of Criminal Justice, NJ State Police, Atlantic City PD, Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, Atlantic County Sheriff’s Department, Pleasantville Police Department, Department of Homeland Security, NJ Parole Board, US Drug Enforcement Administration.
Union County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force
Elizabeth Police Department

Operation “Broken Rule”

Search Warrants were executed in Barnegat, Lakewood, Toms River, Waretown, Jackson and Lakehurst.

Bertrick “King Rule” Artis $650,000 no 10% (Arrested 3/31/15)
(45 YOA)
(Arrested in Elizabeth with Ashzon Artis, Angelique Morris, Javier Cruz, and Kennin Chavez)
3 counts each, Possession of heroin, Possession w Intent to distribute heroin over one half ounce and Distribution over ½ ounce of heroin
Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 5 ounces of heroin
Possession of heroin
Possession with Intent to distribute over 5 ounces of heroin.

Ashzon Artis $400,000 no 10% (Arrested 3/31/15)
(25 YOA)
(Arrested in Elizabeth with Bertrick Artis, Angelique Morris, Javier Cruz, and Kennin Chavez)
Possession, possession with intent, distribution under ½ ounce of heroin
Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 5oz of heroin
Possession of heroin
Possession with intent to distribute over 5 ounces of heroin.

Angenlique N Morris $400,000 no 10% (Arrested 3/31/15)
(23 YOA)
Possession of heroin
Possession with the intent to distribute over 5 ounces of heroin
Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 5 ounces of heroin.

Joseph Collins $250,000 no 10% (Arrested 4/16/15)
(37 YOA)
Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 5 ounces of heroin.

Javier Cruz $250,000 no 10% (Arrested 3/31/15)
(25 YOA)
Possession of heroin
Possession with intent over 5 ounces of heroin
Distribution of over 5 ounces of heroin.

Kennin Chavez $250,000 no 10% (Arrested 3/31/15)
(19 YOA)
Possession of heroin
Possession with intent over 5 ounces of heroin
Distribution of over 5 ounces of heroin.

Tora Evans $150,000 no 10% (Arrested 4/7/15)
(41 YOA)
Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 5 ounces of heroin.

Tira Fisher (Arrested on 3/31/15 and released on a summons)
(34 YOA)
Possession of marijuana under 50 grams
Possession of drug paraphernalia.

Rayquan Hagan $250,000 cash only (Arrested on 3/31/15)
(19 YOA)
Possession of heroin
Possession with intent to distribute under ½ ounce of heroin
Possession of un-prescribed Percocet
Possession of crack cocaine
Possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana
Unlawful possession of a weapon
Possession of a weapon during a CDS offence
Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 5 ounces of heroin.

Jalisha M. Rivera $30,000 no 10% (Arrested on 3/31/15)
(22 YOA)
Possession of heroin
Possession with intent to distribute under ½ ounce of heroin
Possession of un-prescribed Percocet
Possession of crack cocaine.

Kevin Hunter $200,000 no 10% (Arrested 3/31/15)
(26 YOA)
Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 5 ounces of heroin.

Tarell Jones $150,000 no 10% (Arrested 4/6/15)
(25 YOA)
Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 5 ounces of heroin.

Jason Livingston $200,000 cash only (Arrested 4/7/15)
(34 YOA)
Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 5 ounces of heroin.

Monik Powell (Arrested on 3/31/15 and released on a summons)
(40 YOA)
Possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana

Toni Sisler $150,000 no 10% (Arrested 4/9/15)
(27 YOA)
Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 5 ounces of heroin.

Daren Smith $200,000 no 10% (Arrested 3/31/15)
(47 YOA)
Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 5 ounces of heroin

Anthony Wright Jr. $100,000 no 10% (Arrested 3/31/15)
(21 YOA)
Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 5 ounces of heroin

Michael Harris $200,000 no 10% (FUGITIVE FROM JUSTICE)
(YOA 24)
Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 5 ounces of heroin
Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Michael Harris are asked to contact the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Operations Group at 732-341-6150.

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

Silver 2008 Volvo S80
A vehicle utilized by Tarell Jones.

Gray 2006 Ford Five Hundred
A vehicle utilized by Kevin Hunter.

White 2008 Toyota Avalon
A vehicle utilized by Daren Smith.

Black 2008 Chevrolet Impala)
A vehicle utilized by Jason Livingston.

2003 Chevrolet Silverado
A vehicle utilized by Jason Livingston.

2009 Blue Cadillac CTS
A vehicle utilized by Bertrick “King Rule” Artis.

2006 White Chevrolet Trailblazer
A vehicle utilized by Bertrick “King Rule” Artis.

2004 Silver BMW
A vehicle utilized by Ashzon Artis and Bertrick “King Rule” Artis.

2008 Red Honda Pilot
A vehicle utilized by Javier Cruz.

2014 Red Toyota Sienna
A vehicle utilized by Kennin Chavez.

Operation “Sin City”

Search Warrants were executed at the following locations:

30 River Drive, Toms River
The residence of Melanie Cornelisse.

424 Morris Boulevard, Toms River
The residence of Amber Pomponio, Lori Kemerson-Mackey, and Timothy Mackey.

3116 Victor Avenue, Toms River
The residence of Jennifer Swain.

71 Village Drive, Barnegat
A residence utilized by John “Sin” Gonzalez.

159 Attison Avenue, South Toms River
The residence of Rachelle Porter.

225 West Leeds Ave, Apartment 10, Pleasantville, NJ
The residence of Alicia Noble.

254 Sawmill Road, Brick
The residence of Rachel Gonzalez.

A search of a Manchester NJ, residence of Kellyann Lomberk was also conducted by members of the Special Operations Group.

A search of a Toms River NJ, residence of Faythe Darling was also conducted by members of the Special Operations Group.

The following individuals were arrested as a result of operation “Sin City”

Jonathan “Sin” Gonzalez – $600,000 cash only (ARRESTED 4/23/15)
(32YOA)
(Arrested w Miasia Johnson and Faythe Darling on motor vehicle stop on Route 70 in Manchester)
Leader of a narcotics trafficking network
Maintaining or operating a controlled dangerous substance production facility
Possession with the intent to distribute over 5 ounces of heroin
Conspiracy to distribute over 5 ounces of heroin
Conspiracy to distribute over ½ ounce of cocaine
3 counts each of possession of heroin
Possession with intent over one half ounce of heroin
Distribution of over one half ounce heroin

Joseph Gonzalez – $75,000 no 10% (ARRESTED 4/24/15 Brother of Jonathan “Sin” Gonzalez)
(20YOA)
Possession, possession with intent, distribution less than ½ ounce of heroin

Joseph Cruz – $300,000 no 10% (FUGITIVE FROM JUSTICE)
(31YOA)
Possession, possession with intent, distribution over ½ of cocaine
Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 5oz of heroin
Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Joseph Cruz are asked to contact the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Operations Group at 732-341-6150.

Kellyann Lomberk – $150,000 cash only (ARRESTED 4/24/15)
(35YOA)
Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 5oz of heroin
Possession of heroin
Possession with intent under one half ounce of heroin
Distribution of under ½ ounce of heroin.

Adam Bertolo – $150,000 no 10% (ARRESTED 4/24/15)
(34YOA)
Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 5oz of heroin

Alicia D. Noble (ARRESTED ON 4/23/15 RELEASED ON A SUMMONS)
(25YOA)
Possession of cocaine
Possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana

Oniesha T. Noble (ARRESTED ON 4/23/15 RELEASED ON A SUMMONS)
(19YOA)
Possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana

Jaclyn Guzman – $150,000 no 10% (ARRESTED 4/24/15)
(24YOA)
Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 5oz of heroin

Melanie Cornelisse – $150,000 no 10% (ARRESTED 4/23/15)
(44YOA)
Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 5oz of heroin

Lori Kemerson-Mackey – $150,000 no 10% (ARRESTED 4/23/15)
(45YOA)
Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 5oz of heroin

Amber Pomponio – $100,000 no 10% (FUGITIVE FROM JUSTICE)
(26YOA)
Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 5oz of heroin
Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Amber Pomponio are asked to contact the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Operations Group at 732-341-6150.

Rachelle Porter – $75,000 no 10% (ARRESTED 4/23/15)
(Arrested with Calvin Hardy)
(32YOA)
Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 5oz of heroin

Joshua Maken – $75,000 no 10% (ARRESTED 4/24/15)
(21YOA)
Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 5oz of heroin

Miasia S. Johnson (ARRESTED ON 4/23/15 RELEASED ON A SUMMONS)

(Arrested w J. Gonzalez and Faythe Darling on motor vehicle stop on Route 70 in Manchester)
(21 YOA)
Possession of less than ½ ounce of heroin
Possession with the intent to distribute less than ½ ounce of heroin

Jennifer A. Swain (ARRESTED ON SUMMONS 4/23/15)
(39 YOA)
Possession of less than ½ ounce of heroin
Possession with the intent to distribute less than ½ ounce of heroin

Faythe A. Darling (ARRESTED ON SUMMONS 4/23/15)

(Arrested w J. Gonzalez and Miasia Johnson on motor vehicle stop on Route 70 in Manchester)
(29 YOA)
Possession of less than ½ ounce of heroin
Possession with the intent to distribute less than ½ ounce of heroin
Maintaining or operating a controlled dangerous substance production facility

Timothy S. Mackey (ARRESTED ON SUMMONS 4/23/15)

(45 YOA)
Possession of less than ½ ounce of heroin
Possession with the intent to distribute less than ½ ounce of heroin

Rachelle Porter $75,000 no 10% (ARRESTED 4/23/15)

(Arrested with Calvin Hardy at 159 Attison)
(32 YOA)
Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 5oz of heroin

Calvin L. Hardy (ARRESTED ON 4/23/15 RELEASED ON A SUMMONS)

(32YOA)
Possession of less than ½ ounce of heroin
Possession with the intent to distribute less than ½ ounce of heroin

The following vehicles were seized as a result of operation “Sin City”:

White 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt
A vehicle utilized by Jonathan “Sin” Gonzalez.

Gray 2003 Honda Element
A vehicle utilized by Jonathan “Sin” Gonzalez.

Gray 2012 Nissan Altima
A vehicle utilized by Jonathan “Sin” Gonzalez.

Silver 2005 Dodge Ram
A vehicle utilized by Adam Bertolo and Kellyann Lomberk.

All of the aforementioned bails were set by the Honorable Ocean County Superior Court Judge Wendel E.Daniels Pr.J.Cr.P. All of the arrested individuals who had bails set were transported to the Ocean County Jail in lieu of the listed bail.

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

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