Meth, Cocaine, Fentanyl Seized From Seaside Heights Home, Prosecutor Says

SEASIDE HEIGHTS, NJ — A Seaside Heights couple is accused of distributing illegal drugs in Ocean County after authorities seized methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl and Ecstasy from their home, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said.

Leo P. Johnson, 50, and Michelle A. Karcher, 46, were arrested May 18 following a monthlong investigation, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

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Detectives conducting surveillance watched Johnson leave the home on May 18 and drive to Monmouth County, then saw Karcher leave and do a drug deal with a person authorities said was known to use illicit drugs, the prosecutor's office said.

Karcher then drove to Asbury Park, and authorities asked Asbury Park police to pull her over, the prosecutor's office said. She was arrested without incident.

Johnson was arrested when he returned to the home, the prosecutor's office said.

Detectives searched their home and seized about 330 grams of methamphetamine, 105 grams of cocaine, 35 grams of suspect fentanyl pills, an unspecified number of Ecstasy pills, drug paraphernalia indicative of narcotics distribution, and $3,000 in cash, the prosecutor's office said.

Johnson was charged with possession of 5 ounces or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of more than one-half ounce but less than 5 ounces of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of more than one-ounce of fentanyl with intent to distribute, possession of 5 ounces or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute within 500 feet of a recreation zone, possession of more than one- half ounce but less than 5 ounces of cocaine with intent to distribute within 500 feet of a recreation zone, possession of more than one ounce of fentanyl with intent to distribute within 500 feet of a recreation zone, possession of methamphetamine, possession of cocaine, possession of fentanyl, possession of Ecstasy, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Karcher was charged with possession of 5 ounces or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of more than one-half ounce but less than 5 ounces of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of more than one ounce of fentanyl with intent to distribute, possession of 5 ounces or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute within 500 feet of a recreation zone, possession of more than one-half ounce but less than 5 ounces of cocaine with intent to distribute within 500 feet of a recreation zone, possession of more than one ounce of fentanyl with intent to distribute within 500 feet of a recreation zone, possession of methamphetamine, possession of cocaine, possession of fentanyl, possession of Ecstasy, possession of drug paraphernalia, and wandering to obtain/distribute a controlled dangerous substance.

Both remain at the Ocean County Jail in Toms River, according to jail records Thursday.

The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office Narcotics Strike Force and Asset Forfeiture Unit, Seaside Heights Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, and Asbury Park Police Department combined on the investigation.