Two Barnegat Men Accused Of 'Major' Drug Trafficking Found Guilty

An Ocean County jury has found two Barnegat men guilty of a number of drug offenses after a five week trial, Ocean County Prosecutor Marlene Lynch Ford said.

Earl Marshall, 42, aka "Nuke,"whose last known addresses were Village Drive in Barnegat and Pennsy Place in Newark was found guilty of leading a narcotics team network; conspiracy possession with intent to distribute marijuana between five and 25 pounds; conspiracy possession with intent to distribute cocaine of half an ounce or more; possession of cocaine with intent to distribute of 1.5 ounces or more and possession with intent to distribute marijuana of approximately nine pounds, she said.

Karriem Royster, 38, aka "Karriam Marshall," whose last known address was Barnegat Boulevard North, was found guilty of conspiracy possession with intent to distribute cocaine of one half ounce or more and conspiracy possession with intent to distribute marijuana between five to 25 pounds. Royster was found not guilty of possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

“We are pleased and thankful that the jury took their time to serve on this jury, and to consider and evaluate the evidence the State presented in this lengthy trial, said Senior Assistant Prosecutor William Porter, who tried the case. "I believe their decision represents a just result.”

The two men were arrested in November 2008 on narcotics charges, after an investigation lead by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Special Operations Group, the Trenton field office of the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms andseveral other law enforcement agencies. The lead investigators were Detective Sergeant James Kingston of the OCPO and Special Agent Joseph Ruta of the Trenton ATF field office. Both men testified for the state during the trial.

 “The investigation started in 2008, culminating in the arrests of 11 people for narcotic-related offenses, including the two defendants in this trial," Ford said.

Authorites executed search warrants at locations in Manahawkin, Barnegat and Newark. They found drugs, drug paraphernalia, eight firearms, including a sawed-off shotgun, cash and other items used in distributing narcotics, Ford said.

Bail for both defendants was revoked on Feb. 9, after they were found guilty. Both will remain there until they are sentenced. Ocean County Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson, who presided over the trial, set a March 30 sentencing date.

Ford also credited the New Jersey State Police, the Stafford, Surf City, Barnegat and Long Beach Township police departments, the Ocean County Corrections Department and the Mercer County Sheriff's Department for assisting in the investigation.