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Press Release
Press Release
TRENTON, N.J. – A Middlesex County, New Jersey, man today admitted that he conspired to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin as part of a conspiracy responsible for distributing significant quantities of heroin and cocaine in the Bayshore area of Monmouth and Middlesex counties, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Richard Gethers, a/k/a “Richie,” a/k/a “Bart,” 47, of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti in Trenton federal court to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin. Gethers also admitted to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine.
In November 2018, Gethers and 14 others were charged in a federal criminal complaint with conspiracy to distribute heroin and cocaine. Gethers is the third defendant to plead guilty.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From May 2017 to November 2018, the defendants and others engaged in a narcotics conspiracy that operated in the Raritan Bayshore region of Middlesex and northern Monmouth counties.
Through the interception of telephone calls and text messages pursuant to court-authorized wiretap orders, controlled purchases of heroin and cocaine, the use of confidential sources of information, and other investigative techniques, law enforcement learned that Gethers and co-defendants Guy Jackson and Deberal Rogers regularly obtained supplies of large quantities of heroin and cocaine for further distribution from Gregory Gillens. Lashawn Mealing, Jackson’s wife, also engaged in the conspiracy to distribute narcotics.
Members of the conspiracy sold the narcotics to other conspirators, distributors, sub-dealers, and end-users in the Bayshore area. Some of the heroin distributed by the conspiracy contains fentanyl, a dangerous synthetic opioid.
The heroin conspiracy count to which Gethers pleaded guilty carries a statutory mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years, a maximum potential penalty of 40 years, and a maximum fine of $5 million. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 8, 2019.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, Newark Division, Red Bank Resident Agency, Jersey Shore Gang and Criminal Organization Task Force (including representatives from the Bradley Beach Police Department, Brick Police Department, Howell Police Department, Marlboro Police Department, Monmouth County Sheriff's Office, Toms River Police Department, and Union Beach Police Department) under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie; special agents of the FBI, Philadelphia Division, Scranton Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael T. Harpster; the N.J. State Police, under the direction of Col. Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent; the Matawan Police Department, under the direction of Chief Thomas J. Falco, Jr.; the Holmdel Police Department, under the direction of Chief John Mioduszewski; the Highlands Police Department, under the direction of Chief Robert Burton; the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni; the Old Bridge Police Department, under the direction of Chief William A. Volkert; the Keansburg Police Department, under the direction of Chief James K. Pigott; the Hazlet Police Department, under the direction of Chief Philip Meehan; and the Aberdeen Police Department, under the direction of Chief John T. Powers, with the investigation leading to today’s plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elisa T. Wiygul of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Trenton.
The charges and allegations against the remaining 12 defendants are merely accusations, and they are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Defense counsel: David R. Oakley Esq., Princeton, New Jersey