BARNEGAT, NJ - Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force collaborated with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Asset Forfeiture Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Barnegat Township Police Department Crime Reduction Unit and Patrol Division, Stafford Township Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit and K-9 Unit, Ocean Township Police Department Detective Bureau, and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, to conduct an investigation into the distribution of narcotics in the Ocean County area. The investigation identified a residence in Barnegat as being utilized by Jason Maxson, 50, and Laurie Maxson, 51, to illegally store and distribute pain medication throughout New Jersey.
On July 20, 2021, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, along with Agents from the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, Barnegat Township Police Department Crime Reduction Unit and Patrol Division, Ocean Township Police Department Detective Bureau, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, established surveillance on the subject residence in Barnegat. Detectives maintained surveillance on both Jason and Laurie Maxson as they left the residence and entered a 2021 Honda Accord. Barnegat Township Police conducted a motor vehicle stop on the vehicle, and the Maxson's were arrested without incident. Law Enforcement Officers subsequently executed a court-authorized search warrant on the Barnegat residence. As a result, approximately 37,000 Tramadol pills and 3,400 Hydrocodone pills were seized. Jason Maxson and Laurie Maxson were both transported to Barnegat Township Police Headquarters where they were charged and released on a summons pending a future court appearance.
Jason Maxson, 50, of Barnegat, was charged with Possession of Hydrocodone Pills with Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(4); Possession of Tramadol Pills with Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(13); Possession of Hydrocodone Pills in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1); Possession of Tramadol Pills in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1); and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:36-2a.
Laurie Maxson, 51, also of Barnegat, was likewise charged with Possession of Hydrocodone Pills with Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(4); Possession of Tramadol Pills with Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(13); Possession of Hydrocodone Pills in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1); Possession of Tramadol Pills in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1); and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:36-2a.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, United States Drug Enforcement Administration, United States Postal Inspection Service, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Asset Forfeiture Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Barnegat Township Police Department Crime Reduction Unit and Patrol Division, Stafford Township Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit and K-9 Unit, Ocean Township Police Department Detective Bureau, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, for their combined and collaborative assistance in connection with this investigation.
The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).