Prison-jail-cell
Prison-Jail-Cell

Lakewood man sentenced to 12 years in prison for heroin distribution and weapons offenses

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1 min read
May 9, 2025
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer praised the collaboration between local police departments, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, DEA HIDTA, and the ATF in bringing the case to prosecution.

LAKEWOOD, N.J. — A 28-year-old Lakewood man has been sentenced to 12 years in New Jersey State Prison after pleading guilty to drug distribution and weapons charges stemming from a multi-agency investigation into narcotics and firearms trafficking across Ocean County.

Kyree Kennedy was sentenced on May 9 by Superior Court Judge Kimarie Rahill. He will serve 12 years for possession of more than five ounces of heroin with intent to distribute and a concurrent five-year term—with no parole eligibility—for being a certain person not to possess a firearm. Kennedy pled guilty to both charges in March.

The charges followed a coordinated investigation by local, county, and federal law enforcement agencies, which identified Kennedy and five co-defendants as part of a drug trafficking network operating from multiple locations in Lakewood between December 2023 and March 2024.

On March 28, 2024, investigators executed a court-authorized search warrant at a Cedar Bridge Avenue residence, where Kennedy was arrested without incident. Authorities seized 145 bricks of heroin/fentanyl, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and $2,800 in cash. Multiple additional search warrants executed that day led to the arrests of co-defendants and the seizure of crack cocaine, heroin, ammunition, and a firearms suppressor.


Key points

  • Kyree Kennedy sentenced to 12 years in prison for heroin trafficking and firearm offense
  • Multi-agency investigation led to multiple arrests and seizures in Lakewood
  • Five co-defendants also charged with various drug and conspiracy offenses

Widespread investigation uncovers narcotics and weapons network

Kennedy’s arrest led to a broader enforcement operation involving coordinated raids on three other Lakewood residences. Co-defendants Kammani Wilson, Shakira Hill, Tymir Bergstrom, Tyquan Jones, and Miguel Gonzales were arrested and charged with offenses ranging from heroin and cocaine distribution to conspiracy and weapons-related charges.

While Kennedy has remained in custody since his March 2024 arrest, several of the co-defendants were released under New Jersey Bail Reform guidelines and await further court proceedings.

Phil Stilton

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