LACEY – A 60-year-old woman has pled guilty to charges in connection to employing a minor, who she was the legal guardian of, to sell narcotics, officials said.
Margaret Whalen of Lacey Township pled guilty to Possession of Psilocin Mushrooms with Intent to Distribute, Employing a Juvenile in a Drug Distribution Scheme, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
At the time of Whalen’s sentencing on January 10, 2025, the State will be seeking a term of four years New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) as to the Possession with Intent to Distribute charge, five years NJSP as to the Employing a Juvenile in Drug Distribution charge, and five years NJSP with respect to the Endangering the Welfare of a Child charge. The sentences are to run concurrently.
Back in March, the Lacey Township Police Department was alerted by the Division of Child Protection and Permanency that Whalen was using her home on Elwood Street to manufacture and distribute psilocybin mushrooms.
On March 13, detectives searched the home and found several jars containing suspect psilocybin mushrooms. After testing samples collected, it was confirmed that the contents were indeed psilocybin mushrooms.
According to authorities, Whalen manufactured and distributed psilocybin mushrooms from her home while she was the legal guardian of three minor children who resided at the home with her.
In addition, Whalen had employed one of the minors in her scheme to manufacture and distribute the narcotics, officials said.
On June 4, Whalen was charged and was taken into custody the following day. She was 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 Assistant Prosecutor Stephen Burke who is handling the case on behalf of the State, and commended the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victim’s Unit, Lacey Police Department Detective Bureau, Lacey Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and Division of Child Protection and Permanency, for their combined and collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation leading to Whalen’s guilty pleas, and soon her state prison sentence.
