NEW EGYPT, N.J. – A dispute involving a New Egypt farm has landed in Ocean County court, where farmer Dan Watkins is seeking $20,000 from Rogers N. Ramirez, Jennifer LaRocca Hlubik and Warrior Cage Grappling.
The lawsuit traces the conflict to Watkins’ Brindletown Road property in Plumsted Township. Watkins alleges the defendants continued coming onto the property after being told to stay away, then made public accusations about him involving contaminated soil, illegal conduct and illegal dumping.
- Watkins says the dispute began at his New Egypt farm in late 2023.
- He alleges online posts falsely accused him of illegal dumping and other illegal activity.
- Watkins says a criminal complaint followed and later ended in his favor. He is seeking $20,000 in the civil case.
Dispute Started at Brindletown Road Farm
According to the complaint, Watkins operates a commercial agricultural property at 149 Brindletown Road.
He says the defendants were prohibited from entering the property beginning Dec. 22, 2023, and that Plumsted Township Police enforced that prohibition.
Watkins alleges the defendants returned to the property between December 2023 and January 2024 and continued interfering with the farm. The lawsuit also alleges a secured gate was vandalized.
From there, Watkins says, the dispute moved beyond the property itself.
Online Posts and Criminal Complaint Become Focus of Lawsuit
Watkins identifies Ramirez as the operator of online platforms called The New Egypt Press and New Egypt Beef.
According to the complaint, posts published in February 2024 accused Watkins of having “contaminated foreign soil,” engaging in illegal conduct and “illegal dumping.”
Watkins says those accusations were false and harmed his reputation and business.
The lawsuit also alleges statements were made to law enforcement and that a criminal complaint was subsequently issued against Watkins. He says he was forced to defend himself before the matter eventually ended in his favor.
Watkins lists approximately $5,000 in criminal defense expenses and another $15,000 in compliance and legal costs.
Farmer Seeks $20,000 in Ocean County Court
The lawsuit includes claims involving defamation, trespass, property damage, malicious prosecution, fraud and interference with Watkins’ business.
It also raises issues involving several business names Watkins says were connected to the defendants, including Warrior Cage Grappling, The New Egypt Press and New Egypt Beef.
At its core, however, the case is much simpler: Watkins says people he wanted off his farm continued coming onto the property, accusations about illegal activity were then spread publicly, a criminal complaint followed and he suffered financial and reputational damage as a result.
He is asking the court for a $20,000 judgment.
The case is listed under Ocean County Special Civil Part docket OCN-DC-004602-26 and Ocean County Law Division docket OCN-L-002691-26.
The dispute started at a New Egypt farm.
Watkins says the defendants continued entering his Brindletown Road property after being told to stay away.
Online accusations are a major part of the lawsuit.
Watkins says posts accused him of illegal dumping, contaminated soil and other illegal conduct.
Watkins says a criminal complaint followed.
He says the proceeding ended in his favor and that he incurred thousands of dollars in legal and compliance expenses.
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