PRESS RELEASE-BRICK TOWNSHIP MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO DRUG DISTRIBUTION AND WEAPON CHARGES

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on March 11, 2020, Solomon Cobbs, 24, of Brick, pled guilty to Distribution of Marijuana in a Quantity Greater than One Ounce but Less than Five Pounds in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(11), and Possession of a Defaced Firearm in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3d, before the Honorable Linda Baxter, J.S.C. At the time of his sentencing on May 13, 2020, the State will recommend a term of three years New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) on the Drug Distribution Charge, as well as a term of eighteen months NJSP without parole on the Firearm Charge. The sentences are to run concurrently.

During the course of a three-month investigation into drug activity in the Brick Township area in the Spring of 2019, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force and Brick Township Police Department identified a residence in Brick as being used to store and distribute Marijuana. On June 17, 2019, Detectives were granted a search warrant for Cobbs’ residence and motor vehicle. The following day, Brick Detectives performed a stop of Cobbs’ vehicle which resulted in the seizure of approximately 125 grams of Marijuana. A subsequent search of Cobbs’ residence led to the discovery of an additional 160 grams of Marijuana packaged for resale, more than $2000 in cash, and a .40 caliber handgun with a defaced serial number. Cobbs was charged accordingly and taken into custody.

Prosecutor Billhimer commends the diligent efforts of Assistant Prosecutor Stephen Burke would handled the case on behalf of the State, as well as the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Asset Forfeiture Unit, Brick Township Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit, Brick Township Police Department Special Emergency Response Team, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit for their cooperative assistance in this investigation leading to Cobbs’ guilty plea.