Brick Man Busted in Foiled Heroin-And-Crack Deal Faces Additional Charges

A 40-year-old Brick man who was arrested earlier this year in a foiled Herbertsville heroin-and-crack deal now faces additional charges before a Monmouth County judge.

James Keegan was indicted by a Monmouth County grand jury Monday on charges of possessing and distributing oxycodone in Brick on April 23 and May 7.

Keegan’s initial March 11 arrest came after Special Enforcement Team officers were conducting surveillance operations in the area of 19th Avenue and Herbertsville Road.

While there, they observed what they believed to be a drug transaction between a man who was walking in the area, and others who had arrived in a vehicle, according to Sgt. Henry Drew.

After the suspected transaction, the vehicle fled eastbound on Herbertsville Road toward Route 70 and the man fled on foot, Drew said.

After being stopped, the man on foot, identified as Keegan, admitted to purchasing heroin and crack cocaine from the passenger in the vehicle and was placed into custody, Drew said.

The vehicle was then stopped by police on Herbertsville Road just east of the Route 70 intersection, and an on scene led to the arrest of the passenger, Francia Younger, 36, of Neptune, Drew said.

Younger was transported to Brick Police Headquarters where she was charged with two counts of possession of drugs with the intent to distribute, two counts of drug possession, and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was released after processing, Drew said.

Keegan was taken to police headquarters where he was charged on a summons with drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia and released.