Boardwalk Drug Busts Lead To 10 Charged In Atlantic City: Prosecutor

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ — Ten people have been charged with various narcotics charges after a three-day investigation into narcotics distribution on the Atlantic City Boardwalk, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office said.

Early in September, the Atlantic City Police Department, Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, and Atlantic County HIDTA Task Force conducted the investigation at various times of day and night over a three day period, Prosecutor William E. Reynolds said.

At the investigation's conclusion, 10 were charged with various narcotic related offenses, including: narcotics possession, narcotics distribution, narcotics distribution within 500 feet of a public zone, the unlawful possession of a firearm and the unlawful possession of hollow point ammunition, Reynolds said.

Additionally, the State will be applying for a Drug Offender Restraining Order (DORO) against these individuals pertaining to the Atlantic City Boardwalk and surrounding areas, Reynolds said.

Unspecified amounts of suspected cocaine, heroin and fentanyl were seized, along with more than 11 pounds of marijuana and a loaded .22 caliber handgun with hollow point bullets, Reynolds said.

The following were charged:

Ralph Davis, 24, Delanco, NJ

• 2C:35-7.1a – Distribution within 500 feet of a Public Zone, specifically the Atlantic City Boardwalk (3rd Degree).

Kasheem Marshall, 47, Newark, NJ

• 2C:35-7.1a – Distribution within 500 feet of a Public Zone, specifically the Atlantic City Boardwalk (3rd Degree).

Robert McCollum, 44, Piscataway, NJ

• 2C:35-10(a)(1) – Possession of CDS (3rd Degree).
• 2C:35-5(b)(1) – Distribution of CDS (3rd Degree).
• 2C:35-7.1a – Distribution within 500 feet of a public zone, specifically the Atlantic City Boardwalk (2nd Degree).

Phillip Love, 40, Atlantic City, NJ

• 2C:35-7.1a – Distribution within 500 feet of a Public Zone, specifically the Atlantic City Boardwalk (3rd Degree).

Demetrius Bowman, 31, Philadelphia, PA

• 2C:35-7.1a – Distribution within 500 feet of a Public Zone, specifically the Atlantic City Boardwalk (3rd Degree).

Tre Visco, 28, Brigantine, NJ

• 2C:39-5(b)1 – Unlawful Possession of a Handgun (2nd Degree).
• 2C:35-7.1a – Distribution within 500 feet of a Public Zone, specifically the Atlantic City Boardwalk (2nd Degree).
• 2C:35-5a(10)(b) – Distribution of CDS (2nd Degree).
• 2C:39-5j – Person Prohibited to Possess a Firearm (1st Degree).
• 2C-39-4.1a – Possession of a Firearm During a CDS Offense (2nd Degree).
• 2C:39-3f(1) – Possession of Hollow Point Ammunition (4th Degree).
• 2C:36-2 – Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (DP Offense).

Jamar Avril, 19, Atlantic City, NJ

• 2C:39-5(b)1 – Unlawful Possession of a Handgun (2nd Degree).
• 2C:35-7.1a – Distribution within 500 feet of a Public Zone, specifically the Atlantic City Boardwalk (2nd Degree).
• 2C:35-5a(10)(b) – Distribution of CDS (2nd Degree).
• 2C:39-5j – Person Prohibited to Possess a Firearm (1st Degree).
• 2C-39-4.1a – Possession of a Firearm During a CDS Offense (2nd Degree).
• 2C:39-3f(1) – Possession of Hollow Point Ammunition (4th Degree).
• 2C:36-2 – Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (DP Offense).

Gabriel Santos, 20, Brigantine, NJ

• 2C:39-5(b)1 – Unlawful Possession of a Handgun (2nd Degree).
• 2C:35-7.1a – Distribution within 500 feet of a Public Zone, specifically the Atlantic City Boardwalk (2nd Degree).
• 2C:35-5a(10)(b) – Distribution of CDS (2nd Degree).
• 2C:39-5j – Person Prohibited to Possess a Firearm (1st Degree).
• 2C-39-4.1a – Possession of a Firearm During a CDS Offense (2nd Degree).
• 2C:39-3f(1) – Possession of Hollow Point Ammunition (4th Degree).
• 2C:36-2 – Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (DP Offense)

Beth Rhody, 38, Atlantic City, NJ

• 2C:35-10a(1) – Possession of CDS (3rd Degree).
• 2C 35-5a(1) – Distribution of CDS (3rd Degree).
• 2C 35-7.1a – Distribution within 500 feet of a Public Zone, specifically the Atlantic City Boardwalk (2nd Degree).

Joseph Hackney, 30, Pennsauken, NJ

• 2C:20-3(a) – Theft of Moveable Property over $500 (4th Degree).

Anyone with information on this matter is asked to call the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-909-7800 or anonymously at the Prosecutor’s Office Web site at https://www.acpo.org/forms/tips-crime-reporting/. People can also call Crime Stoppers at 609-652-1234 or 1-800-658-8477 (TIPS) or visit the Crime Stoppers Website at http://www.crimestoppersatlantic.com/. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards for information leading to the arrest and indictment of those who commit crimes in Atlantic County.