Crime & Safety

Multi-County Narcotics Sting Results in 27 Arrested Made By The Somerset County Prosector's Office

A five-month investigation lead by detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office of Organized Crime and Narcotics Task Force ended on April 4 with the arrest of 27 individuals across multiple counties whose charges range between various drug, weapon, and warrant offenses.

During the investigation, which targeted heroin distribution around the areas of Franklin Township and New Brunswick, it was found that William King, 29, Karream Sanders, 40, and Shakime Saunders, 32, all conspired to distribute heroin to individuals throughout Somerset, Middlesex, Monmouth, Mercer, and Burlington Counties.

According to a press release provided by the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office, detectives discovered King was distributing drugs from the homes of Latoya Jackson, whom he had been living with, and Jessica Belton - both women allegedly assisted in the distributions.

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King and Jackson were driving with Jackon's two minor children in the vehicle at the time of apprehension.

A search warrant was granted for the homes and vehicles of all five suspects which resulted in the discovery and seizure of weapons including a Smith and Wesson 45 caliber, a defaced semi-automatic handgun, and a 40 caliber STI semi-automatic handgun which was reportedly stolen.

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Detectives also discovered marijuana, drug packaging materials, and heroin in the amount of about $3,000.

The names of all 27 individuals apprehended during the sting are listed below:

William King

Karream Sanders

Shakime Saunders

Latoya Jackson

Jessica Belton

Jessica Belton

Dennis Jenkins

Damon Pappas

Mario Dacosta

Nicolo Rossi

Angelique Powell

Luke Tillman

Martin Dixon Jr.

Justin Horbelt

Rashon Steel

Lauren DiBattista

Phillip Ray Crone

Hamza Namoya

Laura Klobusicky

Naim Griffin

Matheus Pontes

Paul Fortenberry

Barry Thompson

Bryan Arline

Shon Callahan Jr.

Diane Elefante

Todd Richardson

Eric Eskesem


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