MAYS LANDING, N.J. — A 28-year-old man from Egg Harbor Township was sentenced Tuesday to 10 years in state prison on multiple charges related to narcotics production, unlawful firearm possession, and endangering the welfare of a child, the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office announced.
David Thomas received the sentence from the Honorable Donna M. Taylor, J.S.C., following an investigation that uncovered heroin distribution activities at his residence. Thomas must serve a minimum of five years before becoming eligible for parole. The sentence also includes the forfeiture of $4,508 in seized currency, as well as weapons and contraband found during the investigation.
The case stemmed from a search warrant executed on March 5, 2020, at Thomas’s Egg Harbor Township residence. Authorities recovered over a half ounce of unpackaged suspected heroin, wax folds containing heroin, drug packaging materials, an AK-47 style assault rifle, an extended magazine, crack cocaine, and digital scales—all found in Thomas’s bedroom. The items were located in close proximity to where an 8-year-old child, identified as K.A.S., resided and had access to them.
Thomas, who had a prior aggravated assault conviction that prohibited him from possessing firearms, admitted ownership of the seized items.
In a separate but related case, Thomas also pleaded guilty to second-degree conspiracy to engage in official misconduct, involving a scheme to smuggle cellphones into the Atlantic County Justice Facility where he was incarcerated. Thomas, along with two family members and a correctional officer, coordinated the scheme, which was captured on recorded conversations and video surveillance. He was sentenced to five years for the conspiracy charge, to run concurrently with the narcotics sentence.
The investigation was led by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Gangs, Guns, and Narcotics Unit, with assistance from the Egg Harbor Township Police Department, Atlantic City Police Department, and Pleasantville Police Department.
Assistant Prosecutor Deirdre Laws represented the State in both matters.