By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Ocean County announced that on March 8, 2023, the Honorable Kenneth T. Palmer, J.S.C., sentenced Henry Burns, 56, of Brick Township, to 15 years in New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) as a result of his previously entered guilty plea to Possession of Cocaine in an Amount Greater than Five Ounces with Intent to Distribute.
Officials say in connection with an investigation that transpired between April and May 2023 in Brick Township and Asbury Park.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer stated that additionally, Judge Palmer sentenced Burns to ten years NJSP - with a five-year period of parole ineligibility - as a result of his previously entered guilty plea to being a Certain Person Not to Possess a Weapon relative to the same investigation.
Officials said the sentences will run concurrently.
Burns pled guilty to both charges before Judge Palmer on January 22, 2024, officials stated.
According to officials, a month-long cooperative investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration revealed that Burns was utilizing a residence in Brick Township as well as a storefront in Asbury Park to store and distribute cocaine.
In early April 2023, officials say, detectives from the aforementioned agencies established surveillance on the subject residence and storefront.
Authorities say on May 17, 2023, Detectives observed Burns leave the residence and travel to a business in Red Bank.
Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force subsequently approached Burns and took him into custody without incident.
Officials said court-authorized search warrants were thereafter executed at the subject residence and storefront; as a result, Detectives seized various amounts of heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, oxycodone, naproxen, alprazolam, ten handguns, high-capacity ammunition magazines, multiple rounds of ammunition, and approximately $8,000 in United States Currency - all from the subject residence.
Burns was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he has been lodged since his apprehension, officials stated.