Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and South Toms River Police Chief William Kosh announced today that James Bivins, 26, of Irvington, has been charged with Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4a(1), Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5b(1), and being a Certain Person Not to Have a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-7a.  These charges arise from a shooting that occurred in South Toms River on July 10, 2019.  On that date, South Toms River Police were summoned to a residence on Charles Drive for a report of shots fired.  An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, South Toms River Police, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit recovered several shell casings at the scene.  The shooter was not identified at that time.

Approximately three months later, on November 21, 2019, Bivins was arrested in South Toms River pursuant to an unrelated motor vehicle stop, and found to be in possession of Heroin, Cocaine, and a loaded .40 Caliber Taurus Semi-Automatic Handgun.  Bivins was arrested and charged with narcotics and weapons offenses at that time.  Subsequent investigation and testing of the handgun found to be in Bivins’ possession during the motor vehicle stop indicated that it was, in fact, the weapon utilized in connection with the July 10, 2019 shooting in South Toms River.

Bivins is presently lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.

Prosecutor Billhimer and Chief Kosh would like to commend the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, South Toms River Police Department Detective Bureau and K-9 Unit, Berkeley Township Police Department Patrol Division and Detective Bureau, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit for their collaborative efforts resulting in Bivins’ arrest.

The public and media are reminded that all defendants are innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Bivins DMV