TOMS RIVER – An East Orange man has admitted to selling heroin, cocaine, as well as assaulting an officer while attempting to flee police, officials said.
Marquis Belnavis, 29, pled guilty to Possession of Heroin with Intent to Distribute and Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer in connection with events that occurred on July 9, 2021, in Toms River.
At the time of his sentencing on July 28, the State will be seeking four years New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) relative to these charges.
Belnavis also pled guilty to Distribution of Cocaine in connection with an incident that occurred on November 10, 2021, also in Toms River. Prosecutors are seeking another three-year sentence for this separate charge.
Finally, Belnavis pled guilty to Distribution of Cocaine in connection with a series of incidents that occurred in Ocean Gate and Stafford Township between July 28, 2022 and August 31, 2022. At the time of his sentencing, the State will be seeking seven years NJSP as to this charge. All sentences are to run at the same time.
On July 9, 2021, officers were conducting narcotics related surveillance when they observed Belnavis distribute drugs to another individual. As a result, police stopped a 2018 Nissan Altima in which Belnavis was a passenger.
During that time, Belnavis was in possession of heroin. However, while officers were placing Belnavis in custody, he attempted to flee and bit one of the officers on the hand, police said.
Belnavis was taken into custody and transferred to the Ocean County Jail. He was subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
On November 10, 2021, officers were continuing their narcotics related surveillance on a home when they saw Belnavis going to and from the house. Police soon discovered that Belnavis had distributed cocaine to someone in the home.
Belnavis was arrested and transferred to the Ocean County Jail. He was subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
Additionally, Belnavis was distributing cocaine in the Stafford Township and Ocean Gate areas between July 28, 2022 and August 31, 2022. On September 2, 2022, Belnavis was arrested at a home in Ocean Gate. He was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he has been lodged since his arrest.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer acknowledged the efforts of Assistant Prosecutor Stephen Burke who is handling the case on behalf of the State, and commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Toms River Township Police Department, Toms River Township Police Department Special Enforcement Team, Stafford Township Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit, Ocean Gate Police Department, and Barnegat Township Police Department Crime Reduction Unit, for their collective assistance in connection with these investigations leading to Belnavis’ guilty pleas, and soon his state prison sentences.
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