45 Indicted in Monmouth Drug Ring That Moved 2,500 Bags Of Heroin Per Month: Prosecutor

FREEHOLD, NJ — A dozen people have been indicted on drug distribution charges in connection with a Freehold area drug ring that resulted the arrests of 42 people last fall, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced Thursday.

The 100-count indictment, which names 45 people, stemmed from a five-month undercover investigation dubbed "Operation Justice Served," the prosecutor's office said.

Most of the criminal activity was concentrated in Freehold Borough, with the investigation ultimately leading to the seizure of more than 2,700 bags of heroin, 300 grams of cocaine, 16 ounces of marijuana and dozens of prescription pills intended for distribution in and around Freehold, said Charles Webster, spokesman for the prosecutor's office. The joint investigation revealed the trafficking network was moving about 2,500 bags of heroin and 200 grams of cocaine a week, he said.

“We are faced with a drug problem of epidemic proportions and we must continue our coordinated assault on supply lines that feed off the problem like a cancer,” Gramiccioni said.

The investigation began in late spring 2016, focusing on drug sales by Kenneth Crooms, 45, of Bowne Avenue in Freehold Borough, but quickly expanded to include 13 others who were either aiding Crooms in his distribution of drugs or selling drugs, Webster said.

The grand jury indicted Crooms and his co-defendants listed below on first-degree charges of distribution of cocaine and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, second-degree charges of distribution of heroin and possession of heroin with intent to distribute, two counts each of third-degree distribution and possession with intent to distribute controlled dangerous substances (marijuana and pain medications) and one count of second-degree conspiracy to distribute these drugs.:

• Welman Crooms, 39, of Weaverville Road, Freehold Township
• Newman Davis, 40, of Pond Road, Freehold Township
• Angel J. Fuentes, 25, of Kingsberry Drive, Somerset Township
• Carson Givens, 37, of Amberly Drive in Manalapan Township
• Juan Heredia, 32, of Ford Avenue, Freehold Borough
• Amanda N. Rivera, 36, of Second Avenue, City of Long Branch
• Husmir Salihagic, 32, of Jackson Street, Freehold Borough
• William Torres, 54, of Bowne Avenue, Freehold Borough
• Kayla Vold, 22, of Waterworks Road, Freehold Township
• Andre L. Williams, 40, of Avenue C, Bayonne
• Michael W. Garrett, 51, of Vought Avenue, Freehold Borough; Garrett also was indicted on a charge of second-degree possession of a firearm during a CDS offense.

Webster said two others — Kelly Andriessen and Erikan Hassan — were charged with similar offenses, not including the first-degree charges, in November 2016. Their cases were resolved prior to the return of the indictment, he said.

In addition to those indicted on the distribution charges, 33 people were indicted on charges of third-degree offenses of possession of controlled dangerous substances, Webster said. The investigation revealed that these individuals regularly met Kenneth Crooms or Newman Davis to buy drugs, he said.

• John Smith Jr., 41, of Whistler Drive, Freehold Township
• Ahmed Ibrahim, 25, of Corral Court, Freehold Township
• Shannon Gregory, 25, of Fort Plains Road, Howell
• Cody Olmo, 25, of Trinity Place, Oceanport
• Eric Alleyne, 46, of Bowne Avenue, Freehold Borough
• Emmett Odonnell, 49, of Union Avenue Borough, Freehold
• Stevens Cordova, 36, of Haley Street, Freehold Borough
• Jason Galatro, 45, of Tally Drive, Freehold Borough
• John Loprete, 56, of Broad Street, Freehold Borough
• Michael Perri, 47, of Zlotkin Circle, Freehold Borough
• Christopher Odonnell, 54, of Englishtown Road, Monroe Township
• Austin Ventura, 28, of Saratoga Drive, Manalapan
• James Mulligan, 61, of Oliver Court, Freehold Township
• Fabrizio Illiano, of Whistler Drive, Freehold Township
• Giovanni Illiano, 46, of Whistler Drive, Freehold Township
• Louis Almonte, 47, of Helen Avenue, Freehold Borough
• Richard T. Burger, 46, of Gloucester Court, Freehold Township
• Michael J. Migliore, 43, of Kinnon Hill Court, Freehold Township
• Jaclyn R. Nalven, 32, of Kentucky Way, Freehold Township
• Gina B. Levtov, 35, of Heron Court, Manalapan Township
• Kevin Bellach, 44, of Bergerville Road, Freehold Township
• Peter C. Stiles, 47, of Park Avenue, Freehold Borough
• Michael J. Ferriole, 37, of Ticonderoga Boulevard, Freehold Township
• Richard J. Pretty, 42, of Howell Township
• Eric Ousley, 56, of Manchester Court, Freehold Township
• Darren Whiting, 49, of Bond Street, Freehold Borough
• Kevin L. Washington, 52, of Monmouth Road, Millstone Township
• James M. Fair, 52, of First Street, Freehold Borough
• Jennifer Suydam, 28, of South Route 79, Marlboro
• Christine Hicks, 46, of Jackson Mills Road, Freehold Township
• Anthony Macario, 49, of Jefferson Court, Jackson
• Amanda Dunham, 25, of Saint Andrews Place, Manalapan
• Miguel Rios-Bautista, 25, of Institute Street, Freehold Borough

Gramiccioni credited a number of law enforcement agencies for their hard work and dedication to the investigation, including: Freehold Borough Police Department, Freehold Township Police Department, Marlboro Police Department, Manalapan Police Department, Howell Police Department, Brielle Police Department, Asbury Park Police Department, Eatontown Police Department, Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office, New Jersey State Police, Drug Enforcement Administration and United States Marshals’ Service.

Convictions on the first-degree charges carry a potential sentence of 10 to 20 years in prison, with five to 10 years for second-degree offenses and three to five years for convictions on third-degree charges, Webster said.

Photos via Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office