By: Richard L. Smith
Ocean County law enforcement officials reported that on June 5, 2023, Mr. Marquis Belnavis, 29, of East Orange, pled guilty before the Honorable Kimarie Rahill, J.S.C., to Possession of Heroin with Intent to Distribute and Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer in connection with events that occurred on July 9, 2021, in Toms River.
According to Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer, on July 9, 2021, officers from the Toms River Township Police Department Special Enforcement Team were conducting narcotics-related surveillance when they observed transactions indicating that Belnavis had distributed narcotics to another individual.
Prosecutor Billhimer said detectives then conducted a motor vehicle stop of a 2018 Nissan Altima in which Belnavis was a passenger. Belnavis was found to be in possession of a quantity of heroin.
As Officers were placing Belnavis in custody, he attempted to flee and bit one of the Officers on the hand. Belnavis was taken into custody and transferred to the Ocean County Jail.
He was subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
According to Prosecutor Billhimer, on November 10, 2021, officers from the Toms River Police Department Special Enforcement Team were conducting narcotics-related surveillance on a residence.
Belnavis was observed going to and from the residence. A subsequent investigation revealed that Belnavis had distributed cocaine to an occupant of the home.
Belnavis was taken into custody and transferred to the Ocean County Jail. He was subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
Prosecutor Billhimer said at the time of his sentencing on July 28, 2023, the State will be seeking four years in New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) relative to these charges.
Prosecutor Billhimer said Belnavis also pled guilty to the Distribution of Cocaine in connection with an incident that occurred on November 10, 2021, also in Toms River. At sentencing, the State will seek three years of NJSP relative to this charge.
Finally, Belnavis pled guilty to the Distribution of Cocaine in connection with a series of incidents that occurred in Ocean Gate and Stafford Township between July 28, 2022 and August 31, 2022.
At the time of his sentencing, the State will be seeking seven years NJSP as to this charge. All sentences are to run concurrently.