Ocean County News

Lacey Township Woman Admits to Drug Operation That Involving Minors

Lacey Township Woman Admits to Drug Charges Involving Minors

**Lacey Township, NJ** – Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on November 18, Margaret Whalen, 60, of Lacey Township, pled guilty to several charges, including possession of psilocin mushrooms with intent to distribute, employing a juvenile in a drug distribution scheme, and endangering the welfare of a child. Whalen entered her plea before the Honorable Dina M. Vicari, J.S.C. The state is seeking prison terms ranging from four to five years for each charge at Whalen’s sentencing on January 10, 2025, with all sentences to run concurrently.

In March, Lacey Township Police were informed by the Division of Child Protection and Permanency about Whalen’s alleged activities involving the manufacture and distribution of psilocin mushrooms from her residence on Elwood Street. Following a court-authorized search on March 13, law enforcement seized several jars containing the suspected substance. Laboratory tests conducted by the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation lab confirmed the presence of psilocin mushrooms on May 23.

Further investigations by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and Lacey Township

Former Ocean Counnty Dance Teacher Pleads Guilty to Child Endangerment

Former Teacher Pleads Guilty to Child Endangerment

**Toms River, NJ** – Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that Douglas Bollinger, a 57-year-old resident of Neptune City, pled guilty to Endangering the Welfare of a Child on Monday. The plea was entered before Judge Dina M. Vicari and is linked to incidents that occurred in 2019.

Bollinger is scheduled for sentencing on January 10, 2025, where he will face Parole Supervision for Life. Additionally, he will be subject to Megan’s Law and Nicole’s Law, which will permanently prohibit him from contacting his victim. He will also permanently forfeit future public employment and teaching certifications in New Jersey.

An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit revealed that between February and August 2019, while serving as a teacher at the Ocean County Performing Arts Academy, Bollinger engaged in inappropriate sexual contact with a student. Incidents occurred in Point Pleasant Beach and Asbury Park.

Bollinger was apprehended without incident on August 15 by the United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force. He was held at Ocean County Jail but released under New Jersey Bail Reform. Prosecut

Lakewood Man Receives Ten-Year Prison Sentence for Drug Charges

A gavel and a block i

Lakewood Man Receives Ten-Year Prison Sentence for Drug Charges

**Toms River, NJ** – Timothy Myers, a 52-year-old resident of Lakewood, was sentenced on November 1 to ten years in New Jersey State Prison. The sentence was handed down by Judge Kenneth T. Palmer following Myers’ guilty plea to possessing more than half an ounce of cocaine with intent to distribute.

On July 4, 2023, officers from the Lakewood Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit observed suspicious behavior involving Myers’ vehicle. The Ford Expedition made a sudden U-turn on John Street before stopping in a parking lot on Jay Street. A female passenger was seen entering and then returning from a nearby Mercedes Benz.

Detectives approached the car and Myers agreed to a search, which uncovered 23 grams of cocaine packaged for sale and two bricks of heroin. Myers was arrested without incident and later released due to New Jersey Bail Reform regulations.

Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer commended Assistant Prosecutor Alexander Becker and the Lakewood Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit for their collaboration, leading to Myers’ guilty plea and subsequent sentencing.

Cyclist Injured in Lakewood Hit-and-Run Incident

Lakewood Police Dept.

Cyclist Injured in Lakewood Hit-and-Run Incident

**Lakewood, NJ** – A hit-and-run incident involving a cyclist occurred on Tuesday at approximately 7:15 p.m. Officers from the Lakewood Township Police Department arrived at the intersection of Maplehurst Avenue and Cross Street to find a 35-year-old female victim with serious injuries.

An investigation was launched by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, Lakewood Township Police Detective Bureau, and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit. The investigation found that the vehicle, traveling northbound on Cross Street, struck the cyclist who was also heading northbound. The motorist left the scene after the incident.

The cyclist was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune and remains in critical condition. Authorities believe the vehicle involved is a blue or silver Toyota or Lexus SUV, likely with front-end damage.

Anyone with information related to the case is encouraged to contact Detective Joseph Mitchell at the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office or Detective David Mercado at the Lakewood Township Police Department through the provided contact numbers.