Eatontown and Tinton Falls Men Among Over 40 Arrested in Drug and Gun Sweep

Two Eatontown and two Tinton Falls men were among the over 40 arrested and charged in connection with an alleged Long Branch-based racketeering network responsible for the distribution of heroin and firearms. A third Tinton Falls man remains at large.

According to the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office, the alleged leader of the network has been identified as Anthony Stevenson a/k/a Nygee, 43, of Overlook Avenue, Long Branch. Stevenson is the owner of Christabell's American Soul Food Restaurant on Springfield Avenue, Long Branch.

The Eatontown residents arrested were Christopher Brock, 32 and James Soweski, 33. The Tinton Falls residents arrested were Leon Norman, 26, Malik Williams, 33. Patrick Norman, Sr., 54, also of Tinton Falls, remains at large.

Brock is alleged to be a "runner" who distributed quantities of heroin under Stevenson's supervision at at his direction, according to a release from the prosecutor's office. He was charged with second degree racketeering; two counts of third degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance; two counts of third degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute; third degree distribution of a controlled dangerous substance; two counts third degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of school property; two counts third degree distribution of a controlled dangerous substance within 1,000 feet of school property; and two counts possession of drug paraphernalia (DP). Brock is held on $300,000 cash bail.

Soweski is alleged to be a mid-level heroin dealer who purchased various quantities of heroin from Stevenson for distribution to their own respective customer bases, according to the release. He was charged with second degree racketeering conspiracy and held on $250,000 cash bail.

Leon Norman was charged with fourth degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance; third degree distribution of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of drug paraphernalia (DP). He was released on his own recognizance.

Williams is alleged to be one of Stevenson's key associates and was  charged with second degree racketeering conspiracy; fourth degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance; possession of drug paraphernalia; third degree aggravated assault and resisting arrest. He is held on $250,000 cash bail.

Patrick Norman, Sr. remains at large and is wanted for second degree racketeering conspiracy.

Many of the arrests were made on Aug. 3 as part of an investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office which began in the fall, 2010, a release said.

During the eight-month investigation, Stevenson allegedly either orchestrated or sold heroin to an undercover officer on several occasions. Thirty-eight bricks of heroin and an unspecified amount of cocaine were purchased from Stevenson and his associates.

According to prosecutor’s office, Stevenson allegedly obtained most of the heroin he sold from Uwenzin Jenkins, 39, of West Orange. On July 1, officers witnessed two of Stevenson’s associates, Dario Woods, 32, and Keith Rogers, 40, both of Asbury Park, purchase heroin from Jenkins on Stevenson’s behalf.

Following this meeting, Woods and Rogers were arrested after they were found with approximately 40 bricks of heroin during a motor vehicle stop in Tinton Falls.

The investigation also revealed that Stevenson brokered the transport and sale of illegal guns into the state from Amos Castro, 39, formerly of Long Branch, who currently resides in South Carolina and Leroy Taylor, 40, of North Carolina.

According to the prosecutor’s office,  on April 11, Castro allegedly sold a handgun to an undercover officer in Stevenson’s restaurant.  On July 21, Stevenson allegedly sold two assaults rifles he obtained from Taylor to an undercover officer in the parking lot of an undercover officer in a West Long Branch gas station.

Castro was arrested in New Jersey and Taylor was arrested in North Carolina on Aug. 3.

On Aug. 1, officers observed Jenkins selling heroin to Stevenson and an associate, Kenrick Crawford, 43, of Asbury Park,. Stevenson and Crawford were later arrested during a motor vehicle stop in Tinton Falls, in possession of approximately 50 bricks of heroin.

Later the same day, during a “lawful search” of Stevenson’s restaurant, two bricks of heroin were found. Andrew Davis, 46, Francisco, Gomez, 23, both of Long Branch, Deborah Howard. 40, of Asbury Park and her daughter, Jessica Howard, 22, of Long Branch, were at the restaurant at the time of the search.