78-year-old Lewis Tarver of Lakewood has pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and financial facilitation after authorities uncovered a large-scale drug operation tied to him in July 2023.
Ocean County Prosecutor Brad Billhimer announced Tuesday that Tarver entered his guilty plea before Judge Kenneth T. Palmer. The State is now seeking a seven-year sentence in New Jersey State Prison when Tarver appears for sentencing on May 16. Along with prison time, he must pay a $44,267 Anti-Money Laundering penalty, a direct consequence of his financial crimes.
Authorities had been watching Tarver closely for some time. On July 14, 2023, the Lakewood Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit, Special Response Team, and K-9 Unit moved in, executing court-authorized search warrants on his Massachusetts Avenue residence and three vehicles he had allegedly been using to store and distribute cocaine. The raid yielded a major drug haul, with detectives seizing 241 grams of cocaine, quantities of marijuana, alprazolam, and oxycodone, along with $44,000 in cash, believed to be proceeds from his drug business.
Tarver was taken into custody at his home without incident and transported to Ocean County Jail. However, despite the serious charges, he was released soon after due to New Jersey’s Bail Reform laws, which have drawn criticism for allowing suspected drug traffickers back onto the streets while awaiting trial.
Catch and release criminals, then try and take away our 2nd amendment rights allowing us to protect ourselves and families. I’d hate to be a cop in NJ or any democratic state. But on the positive side excellent place to be a criminal, an illegal immigrant or even drop out of school join a gang. Can’t make this up?
Leave him alone who cares. People WANT to get high always have always will and this old man prob worked his whole life to see his ss given to some illegal.