Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force collaborated with the Ocean Township Police Department and United States Postal Inspector Service to conduct a month-long investigation into the distribution of illegal narcotics in Ocean County. This cooperative, multi-agency investigation identified a residence on Dock Avenue in Ocean Township (Waretown) as being utilized by Joelene Leck, 31, of Waretown, to store and distribute cocaine and alprazolam/fentanyl pills.
On February 25, 2025, Detectives from the aforementioned agencies established surveillance on the subject residence, at which time a black Ford Explorer was observed by law enforcement to be engaging in controlled dangerous substance activity. As the Explorer was leaving the residence, Detectives effectuated a motor vehicle stop. The operator of the vehicle, Thomas Rotella, 47, of Bayville, and a passenger in the vehicle, Danny Skinner, 32, of Seaside Heights, were both placed under arrest without incident, and the vehicle was impounded. Following a search incident to his arrest, Skinner was found to be in possession of approximately one gram of cocaine and 49 alprazolam/fentanyl pills.
Rotella was charged with Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Alprazolam/Fentanyl, Wandering to Obtain/Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Rotella was served with the charges via summons pending an upcoming first appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.
Skinner was charged with Wandering to Obtain/Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance. Skinner was likewise served with the charge via summons pending an upcoming first appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.
On February 27, 2025, Detectives executed a court-authorized search warrant on the subject Explorer. As a result, Detectives seized approximately 40 grams of cocaine, 60 grams of alprazolam/fentanyl, and drug paraphernalia indicative of narcotics distribution. As a result, on March 3, 2025, Rotella was additionally charged with Possession of More than One Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Alprazolam/Fentanyl with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Alprazolam/Fentanyl, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. On that date, Rotella surrendered himself to Ocean Township Police Headquarters; he was thereafter transported to the Ocean County Jail and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
Additionally, on March 3, 2025, Skinner was likewise charged with Possession of More than One Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Alprazolam/Fentanyl with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Alprazolam/Fentanyl, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. A warrant was issued for Skinner’s arrest and his name was entered into the National Crime Information Center database.
Continuing investigation resulted in Jolene Leck being charged on March 6, 2025 with Conspiracy to Distribute Alprazolam/Fentanyl. On March 7, 2025, Leck was taken into custody by Officers from the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Warrants Unit, and transported to the Ocean County Jail where she is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Asset Forfeiture Unit, Ocean Township Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Warrants Unit, and United States Postal Inspector Service, for their collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation.
The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).
