BARNEGAT – A Barnegat Township man is facing jail time after pleading guilty to narcotics and gun offenses, officials said.
Clifford Holland, 48, pled guilty to Possession of Less than One Half Ounce of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, and Unlawful Possession of a Handgun – having previously been convicted of an offense subject to the No Early Release Act (NERA), in connection with an incident that occurred on February 23 in Barnegat.
At the time of his sentencing on October 25, 2024, the State will be seeking a term of three years in New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) as to the narcotics charge and 12 years in NJSP – with a six-year period of parole ineligibility – as to the weapon offense. The sentences are to run concurrently.
On February 23, authorities searched a home on Gunning River Road and seized a quantity of cocaine along with a .22 caliber revolver. As a result, Holland was taken into custody at the scene without incident. He was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he has been lodged since that date.
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 Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Barnegat Township Police Department Crime Reduction Unit, Barnegat Township Police Department, Stafford Township Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit, and Ocean County Regional SWAT Team, for their combined and collective assistance in connection with this investigation resulting in Holland’s guilty pleas, and soon his state prison sentence.
