WILDWOOD, NJ – With COVID-19 and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy’s extended lock down, residents in New Jersey are being forced to find new lines of work, especially if you’re in a food related industry. Police in Wildwood said an unemployed fisherman has been caught dealing drugs.
Below is the report filed by the Wildwood Police Department:
On Sunday, January 17, 2021, at approximately 1:30 am, members of the Wildwood Police Department Uniform Patrol Division, conducted a motor vehicle stop in the 100 West block of Poplar Avenue, located in the City of Wildwood. At the time of the motor vehicle stop, the driver was identified as Daniel Thomas, a 30-year-old unemployed landscaper, currently residing in the Rio Grande, New Jersey, and the passenger was identified as David Fessler, 40-year-old unemployed fishermen, currently residing in Cape May, New Jersey.
During the course of the investigation, information was developed resulting in the search of the interior of the motor vehicle, along with the physical search of Mr. Thomas and Mr. Fessler. During the search, distribution quantities of narcotics, specifically 200 folds / bags of heroin, and narcotics paraphernalia was recovered. Additionally, seized in connection to the search was illegally possessed weapons, identified as two spring assisted folding knives and a conductive energy device (taser). The controlled dangerous substances recovered in the investigation were prepackaged for street level sales / distribution, and had an estimated street value of two thousand dollars in United States Currency.
As a result of the investigation, Daniel Thomas was charged with the following criminal charges; possession of heroin (a Crime of the third degree), possession of a weapon (a crime of the fourth degree) possession of narcotics paraphernalia (a disorderly persons offense) and possession of a hypodermic syringe (a disorderly persons offense).
As a result of the investigation, David Fessler was charged with the following criminal charges; possession of heroin (a Crime of the third degree), possession of heroin W/I to distribute (a crime of the third degree), possession of heroin W/I to distribute within 1000’ of school property (a crime of the third degree), possession of heroin W/I 500’ of certain public property (a crime of the second degree), possession of a weapon two counts (crimes of the fourth degree), certain person not to possess weapons (a crime of the fourth degree,) possession of narcotics paraphernalia (a disorderly persons offense) and possession of a hypodermic syringe (a disorderly persons offense).
Consequently, at the conclusion of the investigation, Mr. Thomas’ and Mr. Fessler’s criminal charges were issued on criminal summons complaints and they were released pending a future court appearance. This decision to release the defendants, was in accordance with the Attorney General Guidelines, promulgated in connection with the Criminal Justice Reform Policies and Directives.