Howell Trio, Jackson Man Arrested In Heroin Case: State Police

HOWELL, NJ -- Three Howell residents and a Jackson man are facing multiple drug charges and New Jersey State Police seized more than $800 worth of heroin on Monday, state police said.

Darnell Williams, 34, of Jackson; and Joseph Cottrell, 50, Daniel O’Shea, 41, and Nyesa Richardson, 32, all of Howell, were arrested as a result of an investigation that state police say identified Williams and Cottrell as distributing heroin, police said.

On Monday, July 31, New Jersey State Police detectives, with assistance from the State Police Fugitive, K-9, and Electronic Surveillance Units, attempted to serve Williams and Cottrell with arrest warrants at a home on Church Road in Howell, state police said.

Cottrell was located and arrested without incident, police said, and troopers seized two-and-a-half bricks of heroin and drug paraphernalia, they said. Cottrell also had an outstanding criminal warrant from Cherry Hill, state police said.

Cottrell also was arrested by New Jersey State Police in early July in connection with a heroin distribution investigation in Toms River. (Get more local news by subscribing to the Patch; click here.) In the Toms River bust, $6,700 worth of heroin was seized. (Read more: $6,700 In Heroin Seized; Toms River Trio Arrested In State Police Bust)

While Cottrell was arrested without incident, Williams tried to flee in a car driven by O’Shea, police said. Detectives stopped the car and arrested O’Shea without incident, but Williams ran from the car, they said.

Williams finally was arrested at the Red Roof Inn in Neptune, along with Richardson, who was with him at the motel, state police said.

Williams was charged with distribution of heroin and eluding, while Cottrell was charged with possession of heroin, possession of prescription legend drugs, and possession of hypodermic needles, state police said.

O’Shea was charged with possession of heroin, possession of drug paraphernalia, and obstruction, and Richardson was charged with obstruction of justice, police said.

Williams is being held at the Ocean County Jail, Toms River; Cottrell, O’Shea and Richardson were all released with pending court dates, state police said.

Photos clockwise from top left: Darnell Williams, Joseph Cottrell; Nyesa Richardson, Daniel O'Shea. Photos via New Jersey State Police