Billhimer Sworn In As Ocean County Prosecutor

TOMS RIVER, NJ – Bradley D. Billhimer officially took over the reins of the Ocean County prosecutor's office on Tuesday with little fanfare as he was sworn in for a five-year term during a quiet ceremony at the Ocean County Courthouse.

Billhimer, 48, takes over from Joseph D. Coronato, who had been Ocean County Prosecutor since 2013.

Billhimer, a Democrat, was nominated by Gov. Phil Murphy as prosecutor on Sept. 17 and confirmed unanimously by the state Senate on Sept. 27.

"Brad Billhimer is an accomplished attorney with deep roots in Ocean County, where he has practiced criminal law for nearly two decades and has served as a leader in the legal community," Murphy said. "I am confident that Prosecutor Billhimer will be a strong leader for the people of Ocean County – one who will ensure that law enforcement works closely with the community for the safety and benefit of all."

"I want to thank Governor Murphy for this tremendous opportunity to serve the people of Ocean County,” Billhimer said. "We face great challenges – including the opioid epidemic that has destroyed far too many lives – but I am confident that working together as residents and members of law enforcement, we will meet those challenges and do what is right to promote safety and justice."

Billhimer will be continuing the battle that was the central part of the work and efforts of Coronato, who was sworn in as the opioid crisis was escalating in Ocean County and in the country as a whole. Coronato started several first-in-the-state initiatives to try to address the issue from multiple angles, including equipped police with naloxone, creating a registry for pawn shops to deter criminals seeking quick cash, and efforts to connect addicts seeking treatment with resources, including the Blue HART program.

The Blue Hart program was being showcased this week in Orlando, Florida, at a national law enforcement event.

"I know that Prosecutor Billhimer is focused on addressing the opioid crisis, and I look forward to working with him to advance those efforts and other priorities," state Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said. "I commend Prosecutor Coronato for his leadership over the past five years, particularly his dedication and innovation in fighting opioid addiction."

Billhimer had been a criminal defense attorney for 17 years, first as a partner at Mohel & Billhimer, P.C., in Toms River, and, since 2010, in his own practice in Toms River. Billhimer has been serving as co-chair of the Ocean County Bar Association Municipal Court Committee and as a member of the Ocean County Bar Association Judicial & Prosecutorial Appointments Committee. In addition, he currently serves as a member of the New Jersey Supreme Court Committee on Character.

Billhimer is a member of the board of trustees of The People’s Pantry nonprofit food bank in Toms River, and a trustee for the Community Medical Center Foundation.

Billhimer, a Toms River High School South graduate, received his bachelor’s degree from Richard Stockton College of New Jersey in 1994, and received his juris doctorate from Widener University School of Law in 2000. He was an intern for former U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, and ran for the Assembly in the 9th District in 2011. After graduation, he was a law clerk for Superior Court Judge Barbara Ann Villano in Ocean County. He lives with his wife and two daughters in Ocean County.

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Image via Ocean County Prosecutor's Office