Seaside Heights Sex Offender Jailed For Failure To Register

TOMS RIVER, NJ -- A Seaside Heights man has been sentenced to 364 days in jail for cocaine possession and Megan's Law violations, the Ocean County Prosecutor's office announced Friday.

Melton L. Mincey, 55, pleaded guilty to failing to register pursuant to Megan's Law and the third-degree charge of possession of a controlled dangerous substance -- cocaine -- on Jan. 19, said Al Della Fave, spokesman for the Ocean County Prosecutor's office.

In addition to the jail term, Superior Court Judge Melanie Appleby also sentenced him to continue his obligations to register once released and follow all guidelines of probation imposed on him, Della Fave said.

The matter was prosecuted by Assistant Ocean County Prosecutor Ehsan F. Chowdhry of the Megan’s Law Unit. Assistant Deputy Public Defender Ernest A. Ryberg represented the defendant. Chowdhry argued for a three (3) year New Jersey State Prison term and argued that this was an appropriate sentence in light of the facts and circumstances of this case, the defendant's risk to commit another offense, his prior criminal record and the need for general and individual deterrence.

Mincey failed to register in Seaside Heights in July 10 days prior to his change of address, and was charged by Seaside Heights Detective Lawrence Mayberry; he was charged with the cocaine possession on Aug. 10, by Seaside Heights Patrolman Andrew Leahy.

Mincey has been continuously incarcerated since his second arrest, Della Fave said.