Married Lacey Duo To Stay Jailed For Marijuana Growing Operation

LACEY, NJ — The married couple accused of growing and selling marijuana out of their Lacey home will remain in jail until trial, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said.

John and Karen Vincentini, both 64, have been in Ocean County Jail since their apprehension on March 21, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said. And the two will stay there following the detention hearing that determined they would be jailed pending their trial, Billhimer said.

Authorities discovered that the couple was growing marijuana after residents reported to Lacey police that a repurposed Amazon delivery box that had marijuana in it was delivered to their doorstep on March 15, Billhimer previously announced in a joint news release with Lacey Township Police Chief Christopher Kenny.

Investigation found that John Vincentini was responsible for delivering the box, authorities said.

On March 21, detectives executed a court-authorized search warrant on the Vincentinis home. They seized about 10 pounds of marijuana, 15 marijuana plants, drug paraphernalia associated with the packaging and distribution of narcotics, two assault firearms, a rifle style BB gun, and about $150,000 in cash, authorities said.

John Vincentini was previously indicted in 2023 after telling a Black Amazon delivery driver that he was in a "racist neighborhood" and threatening to shoot him. Read more: Lacey Man Indicted For Racial Threats To Delivery Driver: Prosecutor

In connection with the marijuana bust, John Vincentini was charged with the following:

• Manufacturing marijuana in a quantity of more than five pounds but less than 25 pounds
• Distribution of marijuana in a quantity of more than one ounce but less than five pounds
• Possession of marijuana
• Two counts of possession of an assault firearm
• Unlawful possession of a rifle
• Three counts of being a certain person not to possess a weapon
• Financial facilitation

Karen Vincentini was charged with the following:

• Manufacturing marijuana in a quantity of more than five pounds but less than 25 pounds
• Possession of marijuana
• Two counts of possession of an assault firearm
• Financial facilitation