Brick Township Cocaine Dealer Released Under Bail Reform Facing 10 Years in Prison

Brick Township, NJ – Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer has announced that Ezra Wheeler, 27, from Brick Township, pled guilty to charges of narcotics distribution. The plea was entered before Judge David M. Fritch in connection with a narcotics investigation dating back to June 2023.

Wheeler admitted to possessing between half an ounce and five ounces of cocaine with the intent to distribute. The investigation, which led to his arrest, involved surveillance and a vehicle stop by Brick Township Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit on June 8, 2023. During the stop, Wheeler was found with approximately 18 grams of cocaine.

Subsequent to his arrest, detectives executed a search warrant at Wheeler’s residence on Coventry Court, where they seized an additional 100 grams of cocaine and $19,300 in cash.

Wheeler, initially released under New Jersey’s Bail Reform Act, now faces a proposed sentence of ten years in New Jersey State Prison. His sentencing is scheduled for September 13, 2024.

He is currently not listed in the Ocean County Jail inmate roster.

Stafford Township, NJ – The Stafford Township Police Department proudly announced the launch of their new Marine Unit during a ceremony at The Boatyard. This unit will bolster safety and emergency response capabilities on Barnegat Bay.

The Marine Unit, led by a fully outfitted 24-foot decommissioned Coast Guard vessel, marked its maiden voyage today. The boat will be primarily used for search and rescue operations, emergency response, and maintaining safety on the water. This initiative is particularly significant given Stafford Township’s coverage of over eight square miles of Barnegat Bay and the extensive waterfront community of Beach Haven West.

The establishment of the local Marine Unit addresses the gap during peak times when resources from the New Jersey State Police Marine Unit and the U.S. Coast Guard may be stretched. The Stafford unit aims to ensure quicker response times and more comprehensive coverage. All operators are highly trained, with many holding NJ Boating Safety Certificates and Master Captain’s licenses.

In addition to emergency services, the Marine Unit will enhance community policing by engaging with boaters and waterfront residents, promoting safe boating practices, and ensuring compliance with maritime laws. The community has already shown strong support for the unit, with positive feedback following several trial runs of the vessel.

LONG ISLAND, NY – The U.S. Coast Guard has issued a boater safety warning after a massive 300 foot wind turbine blade was spotted floating southbound in the Atlantic Ocean after breaking from from a Massachusetts offshore wind farm.

At 11:18 am, the U.S. Coast Guard warned boaters that a piece of debris was spotted at 40.58 and 70.27.

“All mariners are advised to use extreme caution when transiting the area,” the bulletin warned.

According to the Coast Guard, the blade is the length of an American football field.

This week, the failure at the Vineyard Wind offshore wind farm sent dangerous debris across beaches in Nantucket, forcing the closure and prompting officials to warn beachgoers and swimmers to be vigilant and to wear shoes and protective clothing when visiting the beaches.

The Coast Guard bulletin indicated the debris field is heading south along the ocean currents.