Brick Residents Among 34 Arrested in Takedown of Kilo-Per-Week Heroin Networks

Operation Sin City Arrestees

Brick residents were among those charged in the takedown of two heroin distribution networks that reached from Ocean County to Philadelphia, and across other parts of New Jersey, Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato announced Wednesday.

The heroin networks were responsible for importing about a kilogram of heroin per week to Ocean County – enough for 50,000 dosages of the drug – according to prosecutors. Dating back to the start of the takedown operation last December, 34 people have been arrested and charged.

The two operations, dubbed Operation Broken Rule and Operation Sin City, focused on high level heroin distributors found to be operating in Union, Ocean, Monmouth and Atlantic counties, as well as, Philadelphia. During the course of both investigations, approximately 40 additional law enforcement personnel were assigned to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office’s Special Operations Group, and multiple agencies within and outside Ocean County assisted in every aspect of both investigations.  The investigations began in December 2014 and culminated this week.

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“These simultaneous operations are incredible investigative feats,” Coronato said. “Beyond the approximate street value of over $325,000 in heroin seized during operations ‘Broken Rule’ and ‘Sin City,’ this outstanding law enforcement partnership has extended the reach and effectiveness of Ocean County law enforcement far beyond our borders.”

The investigation known as “Sin City” identified Jonathan “Sin” Gonzalez, 32, of Pleasantville and Toms River, as allegedly managing and directing a heroin distribution network in Ocean and Atlantic counties.  The investigation, prosecutors say, revealed that Gonzalez was allegedly importing quantities of pre-packaged, as well as raw or uncut heroin into Ocean County for distribution.  The investigation identified locations in Toms River where Gonzalez and members of his network would prepare and package the raw or uncut heroin for re-distribution into individual dosage units.

The “Sin City” operation culminated during the evening hours of April 23, 2015, when detectives from the Special Operations Group surveilled Gonzalez along with Faythe Darling, 29, of Toms River and Miasia S. Johnson, 21, of Barnegat returning from Philadelphia with quantities of raw, uncut heroin, as well as packaging materials used to convert raw heroin into individual dosage units, a statement said.  Members of the Special Operations Group, along with members of the Manchester Police Department, conducted a motor vehicle stop on the vehicle utilized by Gonzalez and two others on Route 70 in the area of Route 539 in Manchester Township that resulted in their arrest on various drug charges.

Simultaneously with the arrests of Gonzalez, Darling and Johnson, members of the Special Operations Group and the partnering law enforcement agencies executed search warrants in Toms River, Barnegat, South Toms River, Brick and Pleasantville.  As a result of the search warrants executed during “Sin City,” police seized approximately 25 grams of raw heroin, quantities of pre-packaged heroin, cash, packaging materials associated with the preparation, packaging and distribution of heroin. Police also searched and seized four motor vehicles that were identified as being utilized by this drug distribution network.

The second investigation, Operation “Broken Rule,” focused on Bertrick “King Rule” Artis, 45, of Lakewood, and his son, Ashzon Artis, 25, also of Lakewood as allegedly importing heroin from the Elizabeth area into Ocean County.

Arrestees in ‘Operation Broken Rule’ (Credit: OCPO)

Operation “Broken Rule” culminated during the evening hours of March 31, 2015, when detectives from the Special Operations Group teamed up with members of the Union County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force and members of the Elizabeth Police Department, the statement from Ocean County authorities said. The investigation led Ocean County detectives to a mall in Elizabeth where Bertrick Artis, Ashzon Artis and Angelique Morris, 23, of Tinton Falls in Monmouth County were “attempting to purchase quantities of heroin” from Javier Cruz, 25, and Kennin Chavez, 19, from the Bronx, N.Y., according to the statement.  Detectives from the Special Operations Group, Union County Narcotics Task Force and the Elizabeth Police Department subsequently arrested the entire group, who were then transported back to Ocean County.

Their arrests were not announced earlier so as not to jeopardize the continuing “Sin City” operation, according to prosecutors.

As the arrests in Elizabeth were taking place, members of the Special Operations Group and the partnering law enforcement agencies executed five search warrants in Lakewood, Toms River, Lakehurst, Barnegat, Waretown and Jackson.  During those searches, police seized large amounts of heroin, cash, several illegal firearms to include an assault style firearm and packaging materials associated with the distribution of heroin, authorities said. Police also searched and seized 10 vehicles that were identified as being utilized by members of the alleged distribution network.

Both operations yielded the arrest of 34 individuals on various drug and weapons charges, led to the seizure of nearly 31,000 individual dosage units of heroin, approximately 25 grams of raw heroin, approximately $140,000 in cash, 14 motor vehicles – one of which was equipped with an electronic “TRAP” utilized to conceal drugs while being transported – six firearms, including a TEC- 9 assault weapon and materials consistent with a drug manufacturing and production facility.

“This investigation is continuing and additional arrests are forthcoming,” Coronato said in the statement.

Brick residents who were charged include:

• Tora Evans, 41, of Sawmill Road, charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 5 ounces of heroin. Bail set at $150,000 cash.
• Joseph Gonzalez, 20, of Greenwood Loop, charged with possession, possession with intent, distribution less than one half ounce of heroin. Bail set at $75,000 cash.

Other charged include:

• Bertrick “King Rule” Artis $650,000 no 10% (Arrested 3/31/15)
  242 John Street – Lakewood, NJ 08757 (Home Address)
  (45 YOA)
  (Arrested in Elizabeth with Ashzon Artis, Angelique Morris, Javier Cruz, and Kennin Chavez)
  3 counts each, Possession of heroin, Possession w Intent to distribute heroin over one half ounce and Distribution over ½ ounce of heroin
  Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 5 ounces of heroin
  Possession of heroin
  Possession with Intent to distribute over 5 ounces of heroin.
• Ashzon Artis $400,000 no 10% (Arrested 3/31/15)
  1152 Anthony Court – Lakewood, NJ (Home Address)
  (25 YOA)
  (Arrested in Elizabeth with Bertrick Artis, Angelique Morris, Javier Cruz, and Kennin Chavez)
  Possession, possession with intent, distribution under ½ ounce of heroin
  Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 5oz of heroin
  Possession of heroin
  Possession with intent to distribute over 5 ounces of heroin.
• Angenlique N Morris $400,000 no 10% (Arrested 3/31/15)
  15 Williams Street – Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
  (23 YOA)
  Possession of heroin
  Possession with the intent to distribute over 5 ounces of heroin
  Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 5 ounces of heroin.
• Joseph Collins $250,000 no 10% (Arrested 4/16/15)
  119 Oregon Ave – Waretown, NJ (Home Address)
  (37 YOA)
  Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 5 ounces of heroin.
• Javier Cruz $250,000 no 10% (Arrested 3/31/15)
  2144 Bronx Park East, Apt B1, Bronx, NY 10462
  (25 YOA)
  Possession of heroin
  Possession with intent over 5 ounces of heroin
  Distribution of over 5 ounces of heroin.
• Kennin Chavez $250,000 no 10% (Arrested 3/31/15)
  2899 Kingsbridge Terrace, Bronx, NY 10463
  (19 YOA)
  Possession of heroin
  Possession with intent over 5 ounces of heroin
  Distribution of over 5 ounces of heroin.
• Tira Fisher (Arrested on 3/31/15 and released on a summons)
  1321 Paris Court – Lakewood, NJ 08701 (Home address and arrest location)
  (34 YOA)
  Possession of marijuana under 50 grams
  Possession of drug paraphernalia.
• Rayquan Hagan $250,000 cash only (Arrested on 3/31/15)
  2250 West County Line Road, Apt A12 – Jackson, NJ 08757 (Home address and arrest location)
  (19 YOA)
  Possession of heroin
  Possession with intent to distribute under ½ ounce of heroin
  Possession of un-prescribed Percocet
  Possession of crack cocaine
  Possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana
  Unlawful possession of a weapon
  Possession of a weapon during a CDS offence
  Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 5 ounces of heroin.
• Jalisha M. Rivera $30,000 no 10% (Arrested on 3/31/15)
  2250 West Count Line Road, Apr A12 – Jackson, NJ 08757 (Home address and arrest location)
  (22 YOA)
  Possession of heroin
  Possession with intent to distribute under ½ ounce of heroin
  Possession of un-prescribed Percocet
  Possession of crack cocaine.
• Kevin Hunter $200,000 no 10% (Arrested 3/31/15)
  1411 New Hampshire Ave – Lakewood, NJ 08701 (Home address)
  (26 YOA)
  Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 5 ounces of heroin.
• Tarell Jones $150,000 no 10% (Arrested 4/6/15)
  131 East 7th Street – Lakewood, NJ 08701 (Home address)
  (25 YOA)
  Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 5 ounces of heroin.
• Jason Livingston $200,000 cash only (Arrested 4/7/15)
  160 James Street – Jamestown Apartment – Toms River, NJ 08754 (Home address)
  (34 YOA)
  Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 5 ounces of heroin.
• Monik Powell (Arrested on 3/31/15 and released on a summons)
  242 John Street – Lakewood, NJ 08701
  (40 YOA)
  Possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana
• Toni Sisler $150,000 no 10% (Arrested 4/9/15)
  209 Sinclair Ave – Lanoka Harbor, NJ
  (27 YOA)
  Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 5 ounces of heroin.
• Daren Smith $200,000 no 10% (Arrested 3/31/15)
  30 Potomac Drive – Barnegat, NJ 08005
  (47 YOA)
  Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 5 ounces of heroin
• Anthony Wright Jr. $100,000 no 10% (Arrested 3/31/15)
  1152 Anthony Court – Lakewood, NJ 08701
  (21 YOA)
  Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 5 ounces of heroin
• Michael Harris $200,000 no 10% (FUGITIVE FROM JUSTICE)
  156 Lucy Road – Lakewood, NJ 08701 (Home address)
  (YOA 24)
  Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 5 ounces of heroin
  Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of  Michael Harris are asked to contact the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Operations Group at 732-341-6150.

Operation Sin City:

• Jonathan “Sin” Gonzalez – $600,000 cash only (ARRESTED 4/23/15)
  225 West Leeds Road, Apartment 10, Pleasantville, NJ
  224 Swan Boulevard, Toms River, NJ
  (32YOA)
  (Arrested w Miasia Johnson and Faythe Darling on motor vehicle stop on Route 70 in Manchester)
  Leader of a narcotics trafficking network
  Maintaining or operating a controlled dangerous substance production facility
  Possession with the intent to distribute over 5 ounces of heroin
  Conspiracy to distribute over 5 ounces of heroin
  Conspiracy to distribute over ½ ounce of cocaine
  3 counts each of possession of heroin
  Possession with intent over one half ounce of heroin
  Distribution of over one half ounce heroin
• Joseph Cruz – $300,000 no 10% (FUGITIVE FROM JUSTICE)
  (LKA) 220 9th Street, Apartment 31-A, Lakewood NJ
  Also known to reside in locations within Philadelphia PA.
  (31YOA)
  Possession, possession with intent, distribution over ½ of cocaine
  Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 5oz of heroin
  Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Joseph Cruz are asked to contact the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Operations Group at 732-341-6150.
• Kellyann Lomberk – $150,000 cash only (ARRESTED 4/24/15)
  18B Amesbury Way – Manchester, NJ
  (35YOA)
  Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 5oz of heroin
  Possession of heroin
  Possession with intent under one half ounce of heroin
  Distribution of under ½ ounce of heroin.
• Adam Bertolo – $150,000 no 10%  (ARRESTED 4/24/15)
  (34YOA)
  Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 5oz of heroin
• Alicia D. Noble (ARRESTED ON 4/23/15 RELEASED ON A SUMMONS)
  225 West Leeds Road, Apartment 10, Pleasantville, NJ 08232
  (25YOA)
  Possession of cocaine
  Possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana
• Oniesha T. Noble (ARRESTED ON 4/23/15 RELEASED ON A SUMMONS)
  225 West Leeds Road, Apartment 10, Pleasantville, NJ 08232
  (19YOA)
  Possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana
• Jaclyn Guzman – $150,000 no 10%  (ARRESTED 4/24/15)
  Rodeway Inn, Room 301 – Toms River, NJ
  (24YOA)
  Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 5oz of heroin
• Melanie Cornelisse – $150,000 no 10% (ARRESTED 4/23/15)
  30 River Drive – Toms River, NJ
  (44YOA)
  Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 5oz of heroin
• Lori Kemerson-Mackey – $150,000 no 10% (ARRESTED 4/23/15)
  424 Morris Boulevard – Toms River
  (45YOA)
  Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 5oz of heroin
• Amber Pomponio – $100,000 no 10% (FUGITIVE FROM JUSTICE)
  424 Morris Boulevard – Toms River
  (26YOA)
  Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 5oz of heroin
  Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Amber Pomponio are asked to contact the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Operations Group at 732-341-6150.
• Rachelle Porter – $75,000 no 10%  (ARRESTED 4/23/15)
  159 Attison Avenue – South Toms River (Home address and arrest location)
  (Arrested with Calvin Hardy)
  (32YOA)
  Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 5oz of heroin
• Joshua Maken – $75,000 no 10%  (ARRESTED 4/24/15)
  Rodeway Inn, Room 316 – Toms River
  (21YOA)
  Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 5oz of heroin
• Miasia S. Johnson (ARRESTED ON 4/23/15 RELEASED ON A SUMMONS)
  71 Village Drive – Barnegat, NJ 08005 (Home address)
  (Arrested w J. Gonzalez and Faythe Darling on motor vehicle stop on Route 70 in Manchester)
  (21 YOA)
  Possession of less than ½ ounce of heroin
  Possession with the intent to distribute less than ½ ounce of heroin
• Jennifer A. Swain (ARRESTED ON SUMMONS 4/23/15)
  3116 Victor Ave – Toms River, NJ 08753 (Home address and arrest location)
  (39 YOA)
  Possession of less than ½ ounce of heroin
  Possession with the intent to distribute less than ½ ounce of heroin
• Faythe A. Darling (ARRESTED ON SUMMONS 4/23/15)
  224 Swan Boulevard – Toms River, NJ 08753 (Home address)
  (Arrested w J. Gonzalez and Miasia Johnson on motor vehicle stop on Route 70 in Manchester)
  (29 YOA)
  Possession of less than ½ ounce of heroin
  Possession with the intent to distribute less than ½ ounce of heroin
  Maintaining or operating a controlled dangerous substance production facility
• Timothy S. Mackey (ARRESTED ON SUMMONS 4/23/15)
  424 Morris Boulevard – Toms River, NJ 08753 (Home address and arrest location)
  (45 YOA)
  Possession of less than ½ ounce of heroin
  Possession with the intent to distribute less than ½ ounce of heroin
• Rachelle Porter $75,000 no 10% (ARRESTED 4/23/15)
  159 Attison Avenue – South Toms River, NJ 08757 (Home address and arrest location)
  (Arrested with Calvin Hardy at 159 Attison)
  (32 YOA)
  Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 5oz of heroin
• Calvin L. Hardy (ARRESTED ON 4/23/15 RELEASED ON A SUMMONS)
  68 Center Street – Apartment 1 – Toms River, NJ 08757 (Home address)
  (Arrested with Rachelle Porter at 159 Attison Avenue)
  (32YOA)
  Possession of less than ½ ounce of heroin
  Possession with the intent to distribute less than ½ ounce of heroin.