BARNEGAT – A Township man has pled guilty to dealing drugs and stealing a firearm, officials said.
Quaison Ellis, 25, of Barnegat, pled guilty to Possession of More than One Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Heroin with Intent to Distribute in connection with an incident that occurred in Barnegat on September 10, 2021.
Additionally, Ellis pled guilty to Possession of More than One Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, being a Certain Person Not to Possess a Firearm, and Burglary, all in connection with an incident that also occurred in Barnegat on December 9, 2022.
At the time of his sentencing on September 13, the State will be seeking a term of ten years New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) as to the possession with intent to distribute heroin charge, ten years in jail for the possession with intent to distribute cocaine charge, five years in jail – with a five-year period of parole ineligibility – as to the weapon offense, and three years in jail with regard to the burglary charge. The sentences are to run concurrently.
On September 10, 2021, authorities were observing a home on Hawthorne Lane in Barnegat in regards to a narcotics investigation. Detectives watched Ellis leave the home and enter the front passenger seat of a car. Detectives followed the car to a home in Paterson, New Jersey, where Ellis was seen meeting with a man. After a few minutes, Ellis placed a bag in the trunk of the car and returned to Barnegat.
Police pulled over the car and seized about 1,550 wax folds of heroin. Ellis was transported to the Ocean County Jail, and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
On December 9, 2022, authorities searched the same home on Hawthorne Lane and seized quantities of cocaine and heroin, as well as a Keltec .32 caliber firearm.
It was later discovered that the firearm was stolen from a car in Stafford Township on September 29, 2022. As a result, Ellis was additionally charged for burglary. He was taken into custody and transported to the Ocean County Jail, and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer acknowledged the diligent efforts of Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Meghan O’Neill and Assistant Prosecutor Taylor Toscano who are handling the case on behalf of the State, and commends the Barnegat Police, Barnegat Crime Reduction Unit, Barnegat K-9 Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Stafford Police, Stafford Drug Enforcement Unit, and Ocean County Regional SWAT Team, for their collective and cooperative assistance in connection with these investigations resulting in Ellis’ guilty pleas, and soon his state prison sentence.
The charges referenced are merely accusations and the public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law
