BERKELEY – A Berkeley Township man is facing five years in prison for unlawfully possessing a firearm, officials said.
Charles Coley, 39, pled guilty to being a Certain Person Not to Possess a Firearm in connection with an incident that occurred on June 11, 2023, in Manchester Township. At the time of his sentencing on February 7, 2025, the State will be seeking a term of five years in New Jersey State Prison, with a five-year period of parole ineligibility.
On June 11, 2023, police officers pulled over Coley after he failed to observe a traffic signal in the area of Route 70 and County Route 571.
During the traffic stop, an officer saw the barrel of a handgun on the floor in the back seat of the car. Subsequently, a loaded 9 mm handgun was recovered.
Coley was taken into custody at the scene without incident and was transported to the Ocean County Jail, and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
According to authorities, Coley had a prior conviction for aggravated assault – making him a certain person never to lawfully possess a firearm.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer acknowledged the diligent efforts of Assistant Prosecutor Stephen Burke who is handling the case on behalf of the State, and commended the Manchester Township Police Department and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit for their combined efforts in connection with this investigation leading to Coley’s guilty plea, and soon his state prison sentence.
