Nurse Had 30 Guns, 'Tommy Gun', In Ocean County Home: DEA

JACKSON, NJ — Authorities seized 30 firearms, including a machine gun, from the home of an Ocean County nurse who had been caught selling drugs to an undercover federal agent, authorities said.

Anthony A. Calabrese, 35, of Jackson, was arrested Wednesday following an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Agency and Jackson Township police, a news release from the DEA said.

The search of his Joan Court home followed several meetings between Calabrese and an undercover DEA agent in July and August where Calabrese sold Adderall, Xanax, and promethazine with codeine syrup to the agent, the DEA said.

Calabrese is a nurse, according to the DEA. On his LinkedIn profile, Calabrese says he is the director of nursing at Dover Woods Health Care Center in Toms River, a residential health care facility that serves psychiatric patients. However, a man who identified himself as the admissions director at Dover Woods told Patch Calabrese is actually a per diem nurse and had not worked with patients at Dover Woods since January 2017.

"He hasn't worked with us since January 2, 2017," the man said. He said Calabrese has worked for other agencies as well.

The search by members of the DEA Camden Residence Office Tactical Diversion Squad and the Jackson Township PD seized pills and powder (suspected to be Adderall), prescription washing materials, assorted pill bottles, cash, a vehicle, and 30 firearms to include shotguns, rifles, handguns, and a Thompson submachine gun. The Thompson or "Tommy" gun dates back to Prohibition and is the gun used during the St. Valentine's Day Massacre, as noted at Brittanica.com.

"It is very disheartening that Mr. Calabrese, a person who swore to help people, chose to contribute to the drug problems that plague New Jersey by trafficking in prescription drugs," said Susan A. Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA's New Jersey Division. "It is also very concerning the number of weapons to which he had access. Drug trafficking and guns can only lead to a negative outcome."

Calabrese was charged with possession of Adderall, Xanax, and codeine syrup; distribution of Adderall, Xanax, and codeine syrup; possession and/or possession with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school; and possession of firearms by a person previously convicted of a crime.

The prosecution is being handled by the Ocean County Prosecutor's office, the DEA said.

Calabrese is being held in the Ocean County Jail, according to the county corrections website.

Note: This article has been updated with additional information from the DEA, and additional information about Calabrese's employment.

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