A Long Branch man was sentenced to a total of 10 years in state prison in connection with a 2021 drug investigation, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago said this week.
On Fri., March 10 before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Marc Lemieux, Johnny Rodriquez, 51, of Long Branch, was sentenced to 10 years in a New Jersey State Prison on a first-degree possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute in excess of five ounces.
Rodriquez previously entered a plea on July 11, 2022.
A three-month-long 2021 investigation by the Monmouth County Narcotics and Criminal Enterprise Unit and Long Branch Police Department culminated in search warrants being executed at Rodriquez’s residence on North 5th Avenue, Long Branch, Platinum Touch mechanic shop on Broadway, Long Branch, and 99 North Point Road, Lanoka Harbor. Upon executing the warrants, police seized approximately 650 grams of cocaine, approximately $19,000 cash, three cell phones, a 2003 Lexus, and seized a bank account with approximately $91,000.
The Prosecutor’s Office would also like to thank members of the Lacey Township Police Department for their assistance.
This case was handled by Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Emily Cartmell. Rodriquez is being represented by Steven Nelson of Neptune.
