Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato, Ocean County Prosecutor Office members and other law enforcement officers from around Ocean County have been selected by the New Jersey Narcotics Officers Association to receive their most prestigious awards at their annual training conference to be held at the Chelsea Hotel in Atlantic City on June 5, 2014. Those to be recognized and the award categories are as follows:

•Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato – New Jersey Prosecutor of the Year
•Detective David Fox – Narcotics Officer of the Year
•Detective Michael Heale & Ocean County Corrections Det. Rebecca Roth – Investigative Excellence
•Detective Anthony Sgro (Temporally detected from Berkeley Police Department – Investigative Excellence
•Special Operations Group Northern Unit – Investigative Excellence
•Special Operations Group Southern Unit – Investigative Excellence

Prosecutor Coronato stated, “I am truly humbled to be recognized by such a dedicated courageous group. Those who work tirelessly to fight the scourge of illegal narcotics operate within law enforcement’s most dangerous arena. I cannot express the pride I feel in being recognized with those members of my office and all those in Ocean County Law Enforcement who put their lives on the line each day in the fight to make a difference. It is their bravery, dedication and efforts that have bred my success over the past year.”

In 1965, a small group of law enforcement officers and concerned citizens met at the North Ward Civic Association in Newark to discuss the growing problem of drug abuse and how it was affecting our young people, our family structure and our society. From that meeting came the birth of the NEW JERSEY NARCOTIC ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ASSOCIATION. The NJNEOA was organized to encourage; mutual cooperation, discussion and interest in the problems of enforcement concerning drug abuse; to exchange ideas, conduct seminars and conferences to educate those involved in the abatement of the illegal narcotic trade. As of today the NJNEOA has more than 2000 that have joined the association, representing Federal, State, County and Municipal law enforcement, as well as private industry, the professions, education and government.

The NJNEOA conducts several training seminars during the year to educate law enforcement officers on such topics as; developing trends in drug use and distribution, case law updates, officer safety, identifying symptoms of drug abuse and drug interdiction. The Association also conducts a three day training conference which is held annually in June. Through these, each year the association trains nearly one thousand law enforcement officers.

This year’s conference will feature instructors from across the United States, both Federal & State, speaking before over four hundred attendees on such topics as: Criminal Interdiction, Tactics & Techniques, Street Development, Tactical Casualty Situations, Heroin Tracking, Heroin Antidote Administrative Programs, Synthetic Drug Threats & Countermeasures, Firearm Laws, Gangs, Technically Navigating and Diffusing Potentially Dangerous Situations & the Mexican Drug Cartels. At this annual gathering the Association takes the opportunity to recognize a small elite group of individuals for investigative excellence and for significantly impacting statewide drug enforcement activities over the past year.

Seaside Heights Police Chief Thomas Boyd commented on Prosecutor Coronato’s selection by stating, “I firmly believe that true leadership is defined by results. To date, Prosecutor Joseph Coronato’s tenure has resulted in tremendous improvements to Ocean County Law Enforcement and the communities we serve. Prosecutor Coronato’s greatest strength is his ability to drive significant change in the community, while providing passionate support for those who protect and serve. We in Ocean County Law Enforcement are happy to follow a Prosecutor who sends a clear message to the criminal community that if you are unable to see the light, we will make you feel the heat.”

* Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato was selected based on the following nomination:

Prosecutor Coronato was sworn into office on March 22, 2013. He immediately formed two new Southern and Northern Units within the Special Operations Group to combat the rising death toll associated with heroin overdoses. He quickly secured office space for the newly formed units. He directed his Special Operations Group to identify and arrest drug dealers big or small. He also directed them to seize their assets. The Prosecutor immediately got involved with the State Commanders Association by volunteering to serve as counsel to that organization. He also serves on the States Opiate Task Force. Prosecutor Coronato realized that in addition to an aggressive enforcement program, that education and awareness was paramount in getting a foothold on Ocean County’s drug problem. He directed his staff to create drug education forums in both the northern and southern parts of the county. He enlisted the help of professional athletes and musicians. Over 2500 Ocean County residents attended his drug forums in 2013 and his community outreach programs touched untold thousands more.

Prosecutor Coronato also spearheaded the “Narcan” program for local police officers. He is the driving force behind local police officers in Ocean, Monmouth and a number of other counties training and preparing to carry “Narcan”. Prosecutor Coronato also realized that a drug free school zone should mean just that. He directed his staff to organize regular K-9 sweeps of the county’s schools and parking lots surrounding the schools. Prosecutor Coronato didn’t stop with aggressive enforcement and education. He is working with local legislators to change the law to target drug dealers at the center of the heroin trade so they would face lengthier sentences. Prosecutor Coronato has been heard several times warning drug dealers that if they sell drugs to an Ocean County resident who dies as a result, we are coming for you. Prosecutor Coronato kept his promise by directing his staff to vigorously investigate and prosecute those drug dealers responsible for distributing heroin that results in a death. In the nine months of 2013 he was Prosecutor; he indicted six individuals for strict liability/drug induced death investigations.

He has attacked the drug problem by utilizing every tool in his toolbox, enforcement, education, legislation and most of all his commitment and dedication to our cause. He has energized the law enforcement community and his efforts are tireless. He embodies what the NJNEOA stands for.

* Ocean County Prosecutor Det. David Fox was selected based on the following nomination:

Ocean County Prosecutor’s Detective David Fox in the spring of 2013 engineered a cooperative multi agency investigation identified as “Operation Weed Whacker”. The investigation began in April of 2013 and culminated on Tuesday May 14, 2013 with the seizure of approximately 100 pounds of marijuana. Over the two-month period beginning in April 2013, search warrants were executed in Ocean, Monmouth and Middlesex counties resulting in the arrest of eight men and two women on various drug charges.

The two-month long investigation involved federal, state, county and municipal police agencies, in addition to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Operations Group. The operation established probable cause to obtain search warrants, which were executed at homes and businesses located in Toms River, Brick Township, Jackson Township, Asbury Park, (Monmouth County) and Old Bridge Township (Middlesex County). As a result of the investigation and the execution of the search warrants, law enforcement authorities confiscated a total of approximately one hundred and forty pounds of marijuana, and a Makarov .380 caliber handgun. During the course of this investigation police also seized approximately $500,000 suspected drug proceeds and multiple vehicles. Drug paraphernalia, packaging and distribution materials as well as electronic scales utilized to weigh CDS were also seized in the raids.

In early 2014, Detective David Fox once again engineered another cooperative multi agency investigation identified as “Operation Growin Up”. The investigation began in January of 2014 and culminated on Tuesday March 25, 2014 with the seizure of approximately 120 pounds of marijuana. Over the two-month period beginning on Tuesday March 25, 2014, search warrants were executed in Ocean and Monmouth Counties, as well as, in Reading California resulting in the arrest of ten men and two women on various drug charges.

The two-month long investigation involved federal, state, county and municipal police agencies, in addition to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Operations Group. The operation established probable cause to obtain search warrants, which were executed at homes and businesses located in Toms River, Brick Township, Point Pleasant, Spring Lake Heights and Tinton Falls. As a result of the investigation and the execution of the search warrants, law enforcement authorities confiscated a total of approximately one hundred and twenty pounds of marijuana, and a Kimber .45 caliber handgun. During the course of this investigation police also seized approximately $400,000 suspected drug proceeds. Drug paraphernalia, packaging and distribution materials as well as electronic scales utilized to weigh CDS were also seized in the raids.

In addition to the two listed multi-jurisdictional investigations, Det. Fox engineered several successful heroin and cocaine investigations. Detective Fox is well deserving of NJNEOA recognition for his dedication, hard work and commitment to duty for engineering and supervising “Operation Weed Whacker” and “Operation Growin Up”. His ability to work with and organize multiple investigations that included federal, state, county and municipal police agencies should be commended.

* Ocean County Prosecutor Det. Michael Heale and Ocean County Corrections Det. Rebecca Roth were selected based on the following nomination:

Ocean County Prosecutor’s Detective Michael Heale engineered and managed an investigation into an Ocean County Doctor Livio T. Holcha regarding the alleged fraudulent issuance of prescription pain medications. Ocean County Department of Corrections Det. Rebecca Roth acted as an undercover operative during the investigation into the doctor’s alleged illegal activity. Between July 2013 and August 2013, Dr. Liviu T. Holca, while operating a medical practice at 1137 Beacon Ave. Manahawkin, NJ, prescribed quantities of Percocet and Xanax for no legitimate medical purpose. Detective Roth conducted eight undercover purchases where Dr. Holca allegedly dispensed scheduled narcotic medications while not acting in the usual course of his professional practice.

Based on the investigation Dr. Holca was charged with 2nd Degree Distribution of Percocet (schedule II narcotic) in an amount of more than one ounce without any medical necessity, 3rd Degree Distribution of Xanax (schedule IV narcotic) in an amount of more than one ounce without any medical necessity, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Firearms During Commission of a CDS Offense, and 2nd Degree Financial Facilitation (Money Laundering).

During the execution of a search warrant at Dr. Holca’s residence, law enforcement officers recovered several loaded firearms, a quantity of a suspected controlled dangerous substances and a significant amount of cash. The investigation resulted in a Civil Forfeiture complaint being filed against the Doctor’s office located in Manahawkin NJ. The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office is currently seeking title to the medical office building where these alleged illegal acts took place and the cash recovered at his residence.

Detectives Heale and Roth are both deserving of an NJNEOA Investigative Excellence Award for their dedication, hard work and commitment to duty.

* Ocean County Prosecutor/Berkeley PD Det. Anthony Sgro was selected based on the following nomination:

Detective Anthony Sgro is a Berkeley Township Police Officer currently assigned to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Special Operations Group. Detective Sgro engineered and managed an investigation, identified as “Operation Road Runner”. The investigation 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 multiple states and counties resulting in the arrest of 25 men and women on various drug, weapons and money laundering charges.

The 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 large amounts 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. Drug paraphernalia, including packaging and distribution materials as well as electronic scales utilized to weigh CDS were also seized in the raids. The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Operation Group along with members of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Newark Division Asset Forfeiture Unit seized 15 vehicles as a result of this investigation.

Detective Sgro is well deserving of an NJNEOA Investigative Excellence Award for his dedication, hard work and commitment to duty for engineering and supervising “Operation Road Runner”. His ability to work with and organize multiple investigations that included multiple federal, state, county and municipal police agencies should be commended.

* The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Operations Group Northern Unit was nominated based on the following nomination:

The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Special Operations Group, Northern Enforcement Unit is nominated for an NJNEOA Unit Citation for their dedication to duty and their commitment to the war on drugs. The Northern Enforcement Unit is staffed as follows:

Sergeant Kenneth Hess – OCPO

Detective David Fox – OCPO

Detective Casey Long – OCPO

Detective Anthony Sgro – OCPO/Berkeley Township Police Department

Detective Brooke Joaquin – Ocean County Sheriff’s Department

Detective Vincent Cipully – Ocean County

Detective Anthony Molinaro – Seaside Heights Police Department

Detective Ryan Quinn – Toms River Police Department

Detective Benny Alvarado – Brick Township Police Department

During 2013 and into 2014, the Northern Enforcement Unit under the direct supervision of Sergeant Kenneth Hess successfully investigated and dismantled several drug distribution networks seizing large quantities of CDS and cash. In 2013 the Northern Enforcement Unit made 221 arrests, seized nearly $700,000 in cash, and seized large quantities of heroin, cocaine and marijuana.

* The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Operations Group Southern Unit was nominated based on the following nomination:

The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Special Operations Group, Southern Enforcement Unit is nominated for an NJNEOA Unit Citation for their dedication to duty and their commitment to the war on drugs. This unit was formed in May of 2013 and is staffed by the following personnel:

Sergeant James Kingston – OCPO

Detective Michael Heale – OCPO

Detective Adam Sennick – OCPO

Detective Nick Dapuzzo – Barnegat Police Department

Detective Russell Dunfee – Stafford Township Police Department

Detective Joseph Luna – Tuckerton Police Department

Detective Wilfredo Hernandez – Little Egg Harbor Police Department

Detective James Markoski – Beach Haven Police Department

Basically starting from scratch, they were able to form a hard working cohesive unit. They quickly enlisted the services of all of the municipalities in their region and quickly became a force in the war on drugs in the southern part of Ocean County. Due to the hard work and dedication of the men and women assigned to the Southern Enforcement Unit large quantities of marijuana, heroin, cocaine and prescription pills have been seized. This unit is also responsible for the investigation and arrest of a licensed Doctor who was found to be allegedly distributing quantities of prescription painkillers. Numerous vehicles and weapons have also been seized as a result of their efforts. [TLS]