Man Pleads Guilty To Drug Distribution From Brick Storage Unit

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A Jackson man has pleaded guilty to drug and weapons charges in connection with a 2021 investigation into heroin distribution out of Brick Township, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said Thursday.

Cory M. Winston, 31, pleaded guilty Wednesday before Ocean County Superior Court Judge Rochelle Gizinski to one count of possession of more than one-half ounce but less than 5 ounces of heroin with intent to distribute, unlawful possession of a weapon, and resisting arrest in connection with drug distribution in Brick Township between February and March 2021, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

Billhimer said prosecutors will be seeking a five-year sentence on the distribution charge, five years with 42 months of parole ineligibility on the weapons charge and three years on the resisting charge when Winston is sentenced, which is scheduled for June 1. The sentences are to run concurrently, he said.

Winston was arrested March 10, 2021 at a storage unit in Brick Township where he had been storing narcotics, Billhimer said.

Winston, who was at the unit when authorities arrived with a search warrant, became combative and "forcefully resisted" when police tried to detain him, Billhimer said. It ultimately took three detectives to arrest him, he said.

Detectives seized about 3,000 doses of heroin, 200 grams of Eutylone (which is similar to MDMA, known by the street name of "Molly"), as well as unspecified amounts of cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl, Billhimer said. They also seized two handguns and an extended capacity magazine.

Winston has been held at the Ocean County Jail since his arrest.

Assistant Prosecutor Stephen Burke handled the case on behalf of the State. Billhimer said the following agencies were involved in the investigation and arrest: the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Narcotics Strike Force and Asset Forfeiture Unit; the Stafford Township Police Department's Drug Enforcement Unit and K-9 Unit; Brick Township police and Absecon City police.

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