By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Ocean County announced that on July 15, Quaison Ellis, 25, of Barnegat Township, pled guilty to Possession of More than One Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Heroin with Intent to Distribute before the Honorable Kenneth T. Palmer, J.S.C., in connection with an incident that occurred in Barnegat on September 10, 2021.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said additionally, Ellis pled guilty to Possession of More than One-Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, being a Certain Person Not to Possess a Firearm, and Burglary, all in connection with an incident that also occurred in Barnegat on December 9, 2022.
Officials stated at the time of his sentencing on September 13, 2024, the State will seek a term of ten years in New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) for the possession with intent to distribute heroin charge, ten years NJSP relative to the possession with intent to distribute cocaine charge, five years NJSP—with five years of parole ineligibility—for the weapon offense, and three years NJSP for the burglary charge.
The sentences are to run concurrently, officials say.
According to officials, on September 10, 2021, detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Barnegat Township Police Department Crime Reduction Unit, and Stafford Township Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit established stationary and mobile surveillance on a residence on Hawthorne Lane in Barnegat in furtherance of a narcotics investigation.
Detectives observed Ellis leave the residence and enter the front passenger seat of a motor vehicle, officials said, and followed the vehicle to a residence in Paterson, where Ellis was observed meeting with a male.
After a few minutes, officials say, Ellis returned to the vehicle and placed a bag in the trunk.
Authorities say the vehicle then returned to Barnegat and officers from the Barnegat Township Police Department then effectuated a motor vehicle stop on the vehicle, and the driver of the vehicle consented to its search.
As a result, Detectives seized approximately 1,550 wax folds of heroin.
Ellis was transported to the Ocean County Jail and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform, officials said.
Officials stated that on December 9, 2022, also in furtherance of an ongoing narcotics investigation, Officers from the Barnegat Township Police Department and Ocean County Regional SWAT Team executed a court-authorized search warrant on the same residence on Hawthorne Lane.
As a result, Detectives seized quantities of cocaine and heroin, as well as a Keltec .32 caliber firearm, according to officials.
Further investigation revealed that the subject firearm was stolen from a vehicle in Stafford Township on September 29, 2022, resulting in an additional charge of Burglary, authorities say.
Ellis was taken into custody, transported to the Ocean County Jail, and subsequently released due to New Jersey Bail Reform, officials say.