Drug Dealer Gets 31-Year Term In 2015 Cocaine, Gun Case In Brick

TOMS RIVER, NJ — An Ocean County drug dealer was sentenced to 31 years in prison Friday for his conviction in a 2015 case where heroin, cocaine, an assault rifle and handguns were seized during a drug investigation, the state attorney general's office said.

Anthony M. Simpson, 43, was given a sentence that includes 18 years of parole ineligibility by Superior Court Judge Michael T. Collins. Simpson was found guilty on 16 charges in February by Collins following a bench trial, the attorney general's office said. They include first-degree possession of cocaine with intent to distribute; second-degree possession of heroin with intent to distribute; multiple second-degree weapons offenses, including four counts of unlawful possession of a handgun, possession of a firearm during commission of a drug crime, and possession of a weapon as a convicted felon; three counts of receiving stolen property; possession of prohibited large-capacity firearm magazines; and possession of prohibited hollow-point bullets.

Simpson was arrested March 13, 2015 by New Jersey State Police following an investigation by the Gangs & Organized Crime Central Unit that found Simpson was dealing heroin from a Lakewood residence where he stayed and a motel room in Brick.

A warrant executed at the Lakewood residence led to the seizure of three stolen handguns, 10 ounces of cocaine, 1.4 ounces of heroin, marijuana, ammunition that included more than 100 hollow-point bullets, drug packaging materials, and a scale, all of which were contained in a backpack.

State police then searched the motel room and seized an AK-47 rifle, three large capacity magazines, and a 9mm semiautomatic handgun.

"The heroin, cocaine and guns seized from this defendant starkly illustrate the threat he posed to the public," Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said. "This lengthy prison sentence reflects our commitment to protect the people of New Jersey by aggressively targeting the drug dealers who are fueling addiction and bringing illegal firearms into our communities."

"The arrest, conviction, and subsequent sentencing of Simpson should send a clear message to anyone who seeks to bring illegal drugs and guns into our communities," Col. Patrick Callahan of the New Jersey State Police said.

Because of his prior criminal record, he was sentenced to an extended-term sentence of 26 years, including 13 years without parole, on the cocaine charge and five years without parole, to be served consecutively, on the charge of possession of a firearm during commission of a drug crime. Concurrent sentences were imposed for the other charges.

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