Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato announced today the culmination of a two month cooperative multi-jurisdictional investigation into drug activity in the Ocean County area.

Detectives from the Prosecutor’s Special Operations Group, Northern and Southern Enforcement Units joined forces with the Lakewood Police Street Crimes Unit, the Lakewood Police SWAT Team, the Jackson Township Police Department and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department to conduct an investigation that resulted in the arrest of five Ocean County residents on various drug and weapons charges.

This cooperative multi-jurisdictional investigation identified a residence in Jackson Township, as well as a residence in Lakewood as being utilized to store and distribute quantities of heroin. Detectives also identified three vehicles a 2014 Gold Chevrolet Impala, a 2009 black Nissan Maxima and a 2015 red Honda Civic as being utilized by this CDS distribution network to store and distribute quantities of CDS. As a result of the investigation, detectives obtained no knock search warrants. As a result of this investigation police seized approximately 6,250 individual dosage units of heroin, over $90,000 in cash, a MAC 10 Sub Machine Gun along with quantities of cocaine, prescription pills, marijuana and illegal steroids.

Ocean County Prosecutor’s Captain Jack Sramaty, who serves as the Chairman of the New Jersey County Commanders Association and is the Commander of the Prosecutor’s Special Operations Group stated, “This investigation is just another excellent example of what can be achieved by law enforcement when local and county police agencies join forces to combat the distribution of narcotics in Ocean County.”

During the early evening hours of September 1, 2016 Detectives from the Prosecutor’s Special Operations Group, members of the Lakewood and Jackson Township Police Departments along with members of the Ocean County Sherriff’s Department located the 2009 black Maxima being operated by Michael Lewis age 31 of Jackson NJ in the area Chestnut Street and Route 9 in Lakewood. Detectives attempted to conduct a motor vehicle stop on the black Maxima. Mr. Lewis attempted to elude the detective’s but he stopped after a short distance. Mr. Lewis was subsequently placed under arrest. Detectives subsequently conducted a search of the 2009 black Maxima and recovered approximately 1,800 individual dosage units of heroin along with a quantity of cocaine. Mr. Lewis was subsequently transported to the Lakewood Police Department.

In coordination with the motor vehicle stop of Mr. Lewis, Detectives from the Prosecutor’s Special Operations Group along with members of the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department and the Jackson Township Police Department executed the no knock search warrant in Jackson. Just prior to executing the search warrant, a Ms. Megan Crudup was observed leaving the residence and was stopped by investigators. A search of the residence resulted in the seizure of quantities of illegal steroids, prescription pills, and marijuana along with approximately $20,000 in cash. Megan Crudup age 24 of Jackson was subsequently placed under arrest and transported to the Jackson Township Police Department.

While Detectives were executing the search warrant in Jackson, Detectives observed the 2015 red Honda Civic leaving the area of a home in Lakewood. The Honda was occupied at the time by three individuals identified as Sherod Coleman age 32 of Lakewood, Diane Hunt age 53 and Sabrina Henderson age 34 both of Brick Township. Detectives along with members of the Lakewood Township Police Department conducted a motor vehicle stop on the red Honda Civic. A subsequent search of the red Honda resulted in the seizure of approximately4, 450 individual dosage units of heroin and a Mac 10 sub machine gun. Police also seized a loaded high capacity magazine for the MAC 10 from the Honda Civic. All three occupants of the red Honda were placed under arrest and transported to the Lakewood Township Police Department. Shortly thereafter, members of the Lakewood Police SWAT Team executed the no knock search warrant at the Lakewood home. As a result of the search warrant, police seized approximately $2,400 in cash.

While conducting this investigation, Detectives identified a safety deposit box which was being utilized by Mr. Lewis to store proceeds from his illicit drug distribution activities. On Friday September 2, 2016 investigating Detectives executed a search warrant on the safety deposit box utilized by Mr. Lewis. As a result approximately $70,000 in cash was seized from the box.

The 2014 Chevrolet Impala, the 2009 black Nissan Maxima and the red 2015 Honda Civic were all seized pending forfeiture proceedings.

The following individual was arrested and charged:

Michael A. Lewis, age 31, of Jackson NJ was arrested and charged with Possession of Heroin, Possession of Heroin over one half ounce with the Intent to Distribute, Possession of Cocaine and Eluding a Police Officer. The Honorable Superior Court Judge James M. Blaney JSC set bail at $125,000, no ten percent on Mr. Lewis. Mr. Lewis was subsequently housed in the Ocean County Jail.

Sherod A. Coleman, age 32, of Lakewood NJ was arrested and charged with Possession of Heroin, Possession of Heroin over one half ounce with the Intent to Distribute, Possession of a Firearm during a CDS Offense, Possession of a High Capacity Magazine and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon. The Honorable Superior Court Judge James M. Blaney JSC set bail at $200,000, cash only on Mr. Coleman. Mr. Coleman was subsequently housed in the Ocean County Jail.

Diane E. Hunt, age 53, of Brick Township NJ was arrested and charged with Possession of Heroin, Possession of Heroin over one half ounce with the Intent to Distribute, Possession of a Firearm during a CDS Offense, Possession of a High Capacity Magazine and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon. The Honorable Superior Court Judge James M. Blaney JSC set bail at $50,000, no ten percent on Ms. Hunt. Ms. Hunt was subsequently housed in the Ocean County Jail.

Sabrina H. Henderson, age 34, of Brick Township NJ was arrested and charged with Possession of Heroin, Possession of Heroin over one half ounce with the Intent to Distribute, Possession of a Firearm during a CDS Offense, Possession of a High Capacity Magazine and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon. The Honorable Superior Court Judge James M. Blaney JSC set bail at $50,000, no ten percent on Ms. Henderson. Ms. Henderson was subsequently housed in the Ocean County Jail.

Megan L. Crudup, age 24, of Jackson NJ was arrested and charged with Possession of Marijuana. Ms. Crudup was released on a summons.

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