By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Atlantic County announced that on Tuesday, July 9, Donna Shiffler, 40, of Somers Point, was sentenced by the Honorable Donna M. Taylor, J.S.C., on multiple charges, including first-degree employing a juvenile, first-degree possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, first-degree maintaining a production facility, and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child.
Officials stated Shiffler was sentenced as a second-degree offender to an aggregate term of five years in New Jersey State Prison.
Her codefendant, John Garman, was sentenced on May 28, 2024, to ten years in New Jersey State Prison, officials said.
This case resulted from a narcotics investigation into John Garman’s drug distribution activities, officials say.
According to officials, the investigation began in March 2023 in response to public health and safety concerns.
Garman promoted his drug distribution business, “Garman’s Goods,” by advertising publicly on social media and placing jars of marijuana at various public locations in Somers Point, authorities say.
Following that, officials said, surveillance identified patterns in which Garman appeared to engage in behavior consistent with narcotics distribution on a daily basis in Somers Point.
During the months of April and May 2023, officials stated that Garman sold marijuana, psilocybin mushrooms, and THC edible products directly to an undercover police detective (UC) in exchange for U.S. currency at the Ocean Heights Shopping Plaza in Somers Point.
Garman advised the UC that with the summer months approaching, he would have his own 14-year-old son distribute his business cards on the boardwalk, officials said.
Authorities say on May 25, 2023, police arrested Garman and his girlfriend, Donna Shiffler.
According to officials, police also executed a search warrant at the apartment where they lived with their three minor children, ages 14, 12, and seven years old.
Inside the residence, police located evidence, including approximately $119,000.00 in U.S. currency, marijuana in a quantity over 62 lbs., hashish, THC edible products, and cartridges, with an approximate net weight of 42 lbs., and psilocybin mushrooms in a quantity of approximately two lbs, officials stated.
Officials say that a security camera and security system pointed at the front door of the residence were also located inside the residence, which was utilized to monitor the residence.
Police also located materials commonly used to prepare and package narcotics for sale at street level, including a label maker, labels, empty baggies, empty jars, rubber bands, & scales, officials said.
Atlantic County officials stated police also seized business cards for “Garman’s Goods,” with Garman’s bit Mogi & a phone number that said, “Somers Point Cannabis Service.”
This evidence was primarily located in the master bedroom and in a closet under the stairwell.
Inside the vehicles, which were operated by Garman during the course of the investigation and registered to Donna Shiffler, police located U.S. currency, brass knuckles, approximately two lbs. of marijuana, THC edible products, and vape cartridges, officials stated.
Inside the bedroom of Garman and Shiffler’s 14-year-old son, J.G., police located Garman’s business cards, U.S. currency, & THC edible products, consistent in appearance with what Garman sold to the undercover detective, authorities say.
Officials said further cellphone evidence showed a conspiracy between Garman, Shiffler, and their 14-year-old son, J.G., to distribute and manufacture narcotics.