Crime & Safety
Toms River Man Pleads Guilty To Cocaine Distribution
Authorities found cash and jewelry in addition to the cocaine in Jason Vella's home, the U.S. Attorney's office said.
TRENTON, NJ – An alleged crime family associate pleaded guilty Thursday to possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito said.
Jason Vella, 39, of Toms River, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Anne E. Thompson in Trenton federal court to one count of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, Carpenito's office said.
Vella was arrested Sept. 19, 2019, after investigators from the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office executing a search warrant seized more than 150 grams of cocaine, plus drug paraphernalia, $2,295 in cash and pieces of jewelry, he said.
Find out what's happening in Toms Riverfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Vella faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine and sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 26, 2021.
Carpenito credited the members of the FBI’s Organized Crime Task Force and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office with the investigation leading to the guilty plea.
Find out what's happening in Toms Riverfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Click here to get Patch email notifications, or get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our app. Download here. Have a news tip? Email karen.wall@patch.com Follow Toms River Patch on Facebook.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
