Manchester Woman Admits Trying To Have Drug Case Evidence Stolen

TRENTON, NJ — A Manchester Township woman pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to obstructing justice in connection with a heroin distribution network that was operating in Monmouth and Middlesex counties, federal authorities said.

Lashawn Mealing, 48, of Manchester, pleaded guilty to obstructing justice in connection with charges against her husband, Guy Jackson, 47, of Effort, Pennsylvania, and others in a larger distribution case, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito said. The plea came before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti in Trenton.

Authorities say from May 2017 to November 2018, Mealing, Jackson and others engaged in a narcotics conspiracy that operated in the Raritan Bayshore region. Investigators learned that Jackson regularly obtained large quantities of heroin and cocaine for distribution from co-defendant Gregory Gillens, and that Mealing was part of the conspiracy. Some of the heroin contained fentanyl.

In November 2018, Mealing (who lived in Effort with her husband), Jackson and 13 others were charged in a federal complaint with conspiracy to distribute heroin and cocaine.

After the criminal complaints were filed, Mealing orchestrated the break-in of a rental vehicle that had been used as part of the narcotics trafficking conspiracy, and the removal of evidence of the narcotics offense from the rental vehicle. She did so at her husband's request, Carpenito's office said.

Gillens previously pleaded guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced on June 2, Carpenito's office said.

Jackson also pleaded guilty on Tuesday, to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 1 kilogram or more of heroin, and to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine, also before Martinotti.

Jackson, who has been in jail since Nov. 28, 2018, is expected to be sentenced to between 12 and 17½ years in prison as a result of the plea agreement.

Mealing faces up to 30 years in prison, and a maximum fine of $250,000.

Both are scheduled for sentencing on June 23.

Carpenito thanked the following for their efforts in the case:

Special agents of the FBI Newark Division Jersey Shore Gang and Criminal Organization Task Force (including officers from the Bradley Beach, Brick, Howell, Marlboro, Toms River and Union Beach police departments and the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office); special agents of the FBI Philadelphia Division; New Jersey State Police; the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office; the Matawan, Holmdel, Highlands, Old Bridge, Keansburg, Hazlet and Aberdeen police departments.

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