Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force collaborated with the Toms River Township Police Department to conduct a two month-long investigation into the distribution of illegal narcotics in Ocean County. This cooperative, multi-agency investigation identified a residence on Walnut Street in Toms River as being utilized by Jonathan Acosta, 39, of Toms River, to store and distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana.

On March 20, 2025, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force established surveillance on the subject residence. Detectives observed Acosta exit the residence and leave the area in a motor vehicle. Officers from the Toms River Township Police Department effectuated a motor vehicle stop on Acosta’s vehicle, and he was taken into custody without incident. The Toms River Township Police Department Emergency Services Unit subsequently executed a court-authorized search warrant on the subject residence. As a result, Detectives seized approximately 21 grams of methamphetamine, approximately one-half pound of marijuana, a quantity of cocaine, and materials indicative of narcotics distribution. Acosta was charged with Possession of More than One Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of More than One Ounce but Less than Five Pounds of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Methamphetamine, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Acosta was transported to the Ocean County Jail and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.

On April 2, 2025, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force again established surveillance on Acosta. On that date, Toms River Township Police Officers attempted to effectuate a motor vehicle stop on a vehicle which Acosta was operating; Acosta failed to pull over for the Officers and was observed to be swerving between lanes while discarding an unknown object through the open driver window. Acosta eventually brought the vehicle to a stop, and Officers recovered the discarded object – determined to be approximately 37 grams of suspect cocaine. Detectives then executed a court-authorized search warrant on Acosta’s vehicle; as a result, materials indicative of narcotics distribution were seized. Acosta was charged with Possession of More than One Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Wandering to Obtain/Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance, Eluding, and Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution. Acosta was taken into custody and transported to the Ocean County Jail where he is currently lodged pending a detention hearing.

Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Asset Forfeiture Unit, Toms River Township Police Department, and Toms River Township Police Department Emergency Services Unit, for their collaborative efforts in connection with these investigations.