Lacey Police Arrest Four On Heroin Charges After Investigation

by Patricia A. Miller

Lacey detectives arrested four persons on narcotics charges recently after they watched several suspicious transactions that look like drug deals, Police Chief David A. Paprota said.

Lacey detectives approached a vehicle in the Beach Plaza parking lot on April 8 and saw Raymond Sleeper, 29, Lacey trying to hide hide heroin in a child’s safety seat, the chief said.

Detectives found 36 bags of heroin from the seat, he said.

Sleeper was arrested and charged with possession of heroin and intent to distribute heroin. He also had a no-bail warrant from the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department for a probation violations. He was taken to the Ocean County Jail in Toms River in lieu of $50,000 bail, the chief said.

Three other occupants of the vehicle were also charged with drug offenses. Kayla Garcia, 25, Beachwood, was charged with possession of heroin, distribution of heroin, and possession of a hypodermic syringe. She was transferred to jail in lieu of $25,000 bail, Paprota said.

A third passenger, Devin Durow, 31, Lacey, was charged with criminal attempt to possess heroin. The driver, Ashley Cornelius, 24, Toms River, was charged with possession of heroin and possessing a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle. Durow and Cornelius were released on their own recognizance, pending court appearances, the chief said.