TRENTON – Twenty people were charged for their involvement in a drug-trafficking conspiracy that distributed cocaine and crack cocaine in areas of Monmouth County and in one community of Ocean County, according to Craig Carpenito, U.S. Attorney for New Jersey.
Carpenito stated that 19 defendants were arrested Aug. 22 and one remains at large.
They are charged with conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine or 280 grams or more of crack cocaine. The defendants are scheduled to have their initial appearances this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lois H. Goodman in Trenton federal court.
“As alleged in complaint, the defendants in this organization distributed significant amounts of cocaine and crack cocaine throughout Monmouth County and other surrounding municipalities,” Carpenito said.
Carpenito said that “by coordinating closely with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners, we continue to work hard to substantially reduce on the drug trade in in our communities in these areas, and across the state.”
According to case documents and statements made in court: Between April 2019 and August 2019, the defendants and others engaged in a narcotics conspiracy that operated primarily in municipalities throughout Monmouth County – including Cliffwood, Keansburg, Matawan, Keyport, Red Bank, Long Branch, Neptune, and Asbury Park, as well as Brick Township in Ocean County – and which sought to profit from the distribution of cocaine and crack cocaine.
Through the interception of telephone calls and text messages pursuant to court-authorized wiretap orders, and other investigative techniques, law enforcement officials learned that defendant Damion Helmes obtained regular supplies of cocaine from defendants Derrick Hayes and Dequan Copeland. Helmes then distributed that cocaine, portions of which he converted into crack cocaine, for profit, to other distributors, sub-dealers, and end users throughout Monmouth County.
During the wiretap portion of the investigation, law enforcement intercepted numerous communications by and between the conspirators regarding such issues as cocaine quality and availability, pricing, packaging, quantity, and customer satisfaction.
Helmes, 39, of Cliffwood has been charged with conspiracy to distribute or possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine. The charge carries a minimum sentence of five years and a maximum sentence of 40 years. He was also charged with conspiracy to distribute or possess with intent to distribute more than 280 grams of crack cocaine which carries a minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum sentence of life.
Hayes, 37, Neptune, and Copeland, 40, Red Bank, and Dawn Stephens 38, Keansburg, were also charged with conspiracy to distribute or possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine. Stephens faces an additional charge of conspiracy to distribute or possess with intent to distribute more than 280 grams of crack cocaine.
Among those charged were Shantay Walker, 42, Howell and Rondell Hill, 35, Lakewood, both of whom were charged with conspiracy to distribute or possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine and more than 280 grams of crack cocaine.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
“Today’s operation is another example of the FBI’s dedication to keeping the public safe,” FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Gregory W. Ehrie, Newark, said. “We know it is a way of life for drug dealers to pollute their neighborhoods with toxic substances so they can profit. It is the FBI’s way of life to use dogged determination to find those who are doing the most damage, get them off the streets, and help our local and federal prosecutors put them out of business so the neighborhoods might recover.”
Ehrie said, “our job is made easier when community members take a stand and report any illegal activity they witness.”
Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, Newark Division, Red Bank Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie and detectives of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni, with the investigation leading to today’s charges.
The work of various law enforcement officers were noted including those from the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Shaun Golden; officers of the Howell Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Andrew Kudrick; officers of the Aberdeen Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Richard A. Derechailo; officers of the Red Bank Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Stephen G. McCarthy; officers of the Hazlet Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Phillip Meehan; officers of the Keansburg Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Robert B. Sheehan.
Carpenito also thanked the officers of the Highlands Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Robert Burton; officers of the Holmdel Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police John Mioduszewski; officers of the Middletown Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Craig R. Weber; officers of the Long Branch Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Jason Roebuck; officers of the Union Beach Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Michael J. Woodrow; officers of the Brick Township Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police James Riccio; and the Monmouth County Police Academy, under the direction of Director Darryl Breckinridge, for their assistance with the investigation.
The government is represented by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Ian D. Brater of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Trenton.
