Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced on June 24th that a thorough eight-month investigation has resulted in the seizure of drugs valued at hundreds of thousands of dollars. These drugs were being funneled from Passaic and Somerset counties.
Santiago praised the collaborative efforts of over two dozen law enforcement agencies that led to the arrests and seizures being announced today. “This is the culmination of a tremendous investigative effort that involved numerous moving parts, all working together seamlessly,” he stated.
“The tireless efforts of all the dedicated men and women who worked together with unrelenting determination have led to the complete dismantling of a criminal organization that has been polluting our neighborhoods for almost a decade. Their unwavering commitment to collaboration deserves my utmost commendation.”
According to investigators, Yusef Kearney, 48, from North Plainfield, and Gerson Villeda Fajardo, 47, from Paterson, were responsible for transporting drugs into Monmouth County. On April 29th, Kearney was apprehended and discovered to be in possession of approximately 300 grams of cocaine.
Prosecutors have accused Kearney of supplying drugs to two individuals, Kaileem Davis, and Tyking Pugh. According to reports, Pugh then gave the drugs to Sammie Boynton, who is said to have distributed the substance across Monmouth County. Boynton is 44 years old and from Middletown, while Davis is 47 years old and from Tinton Falls, and Pugh is 37 years old and from Ocean Township.
In May, authorities conducted search warrants at two stash houses in Long Branch and Neptune Township. The police team confiscated a total of 450 grams of fentanyl, 325 grams of cocaine, six pounds of marijuana, Xanax pills, a kilogram press, a pill press, cutting agents, several ink pads and stamps, and $27,350 in cash.
During the raids, law enforcement officials discovered 22 different types of folds that were utilized for packaging individual doses of opioids. It was identified that three of these folds were connected to the recent overdose deaths in Monmouth County.
Kearney faced a range of serious charges including first-degree distribution of cocaine, first-degree possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, first-degree possession of heroin with the intent to distribute, second-degree conspiracy to distribute cocaine, second-degree conspiracy to distribute heroin, second-degree distribution of heroin, second-degree possession of heroin with the intent to distribute, third-degree possession of cocaine, and third-degree possession of heroin.
Fajardo faces a range of charges, including first-degree distribution of cocaine, first-degree possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, second-degree conspiracy to distribute cocaine and heroin, second-degree distribution of heroin, and second-degree possession of heroin with the intent to distribute. In addition to these, he also faces charges of third-degree possession of both cocaine and heroin.
Torres-Rivera faced a string of charges, including first-degree distribution of cocaine, first-degree maintaining a controlled dangerous substance production facility, and first-degree possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute. Other charges included second-degree conspiracy to distribute cocaine and heroin, second-degree distribution of heroin, and possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute. In addition, Torres-Rivera was charged with second-degree possession of fentanyl and heroin with the intent to distribute, as well as third-degree possession of cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, and drug paraphernalia.
Dejesus-Polanco faces multiple charges, including first-degree maintaining a controlled dangerous substance production facility, second-degree possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, second-degree possession of fentanyl with the intent to distribute, third-degree possession of cocaine, third-degree possession of fentanyl, and third-degree possession of drug paraphernalia.
Pugh faced multiple charges, including second-degree conspiracy to distribute heroin, second-degree distribution of heroin, second-degree possession of heroin with the intent to distribute, and second-degree possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute. Additionally, he was charged with third-degree conspiracy to distribute Xanax, third-degree distribution of Xanax, third-degree possession of heroin, third-degree possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school, third-degree possession of Xanax, and third-degree possession of drug paraphernalia.
Authorities pressed multiple charges against Boynton, including distributing heroin and Xanax, possessing heroin with the intent to distribute, conspiring to distribute cocaine and possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute. The charges included second and third-degree offenses.
Davis faces several serious charges, including first-degree distribution of cocaine, first-degree possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, second-degree conspiracy to distribute cocaine, and third-degree possession of cocaine.
Several individuals were apprehended in connection with the case, including:
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- Saeed Wilson, 47, of Long Branch, was charged with first-degree possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, second-degree conspiracy to distribute cocaine, and third-degree possession of cocaine.
- Algieron Pines, 29, of Middletown, was charged with third-degree possession of Xanax with the intent to distribute, third-degree possession of cocaine, fourth-degree possession of drug paraphernalia, and fourth-degree possession of prescription legend drugs.
- Darrah Bacy, 35, of Tinton Falls, was charged with third-degree conspiracy to distribute cocaine, third-degree distribution of cocaine, third-degree possession of cocaine, and third-degree possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute.
- Marcus Carter, 38, of Eatontown, was charged with first-degree possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, second-degree conspiracy to distribute cocaine, and third-degree possession of cocaine.
- Jerome Geathers, 45, of Howell, was charged with third-degree conspiracy to distribute prescription legend drugs; third-degree distribution of prescription legend drugs, and third-degree possession of prescription legend drugs.
- Robert Diakow, 46, of Middletown, was charged with third-degree conspiracy to distribute prescription legend drugs, third-degree distribution of prescription legend drugs, and third-degree possession of prescription legend drugs.
- Deborah Bost, 50, of Hazlet, was charged with third-degree conspiracy to possess cocaine and third-degree possession of cocaine.
- Allison Waltsak, 51, of Tinton Falls, was charged with third-degree conspiracy to possess cocaine and third-degree possession of cocaine.
- Geoffrey Melvin, 74, of Neptune Township, was charged with third-degree conspiracy to possess oxycodone and third-degree possession of oxycodone.
- Jason Remp, 40, of Keansburg, was charged with third-degree conspiracy to possess cocaine and possession of cocaine.
According to prosecutors, there are six individuals who have not yet been apprehended and are currently being sought after.
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- Jeffrey Wells, 33, of Tinton Falls
- Suzzette Depolmo, 34, of Atlantic Highlands
- Christopher Johnson, 43, of Keansburg
- Ronald Remp, 44, of Keansburg
- Kurtis D. Barnes, 45, of Atlantic City
- Rasheen Yarbrough, 45, of Tinton Falls
Assisted by 21 police departments, state police provided aid to the prosecutor’s offices in Monmouth, Passaic, and Somerset counties.
