SHERIFF’S OFFICERS FIND DEFACED HANDGUN AND DRUGS

Monmouth County Sheriff’s Officers made a significant arrest Saturday, February 4th while serving two warrants on a couple from Howell Township. James Williams, 26, and Jennifer Anderson, 21, were both wanted on Superior Court warrants. Upon gaining entry into the house on North American Drive, sheriff’s officers noticed a strong odor of marijuana. After receiving consent to search from Anderson, a 25 caliber semiautomatic handgun with a defaced serial number was located in the closet. With the help of the Sheriff’s Office canine team 43 bags of heroin, less than 50 grams of marijuana and a small amount of cocaine were uncovered.

Sheriff’s Officers John Esposito, Randy Morgan, Glenn Engelken and Joyce Schmidt along with Sheriff’s Officer Kurt Kroeper and his canine partner Evan all assisted in the arrest. “I commend all of the officers for their exceptional police work,” said Sheriff Shaun Golden. “Any handgun, taken off of the streets helps keep our neighborhoods safer, but a defaced weapon, that is difficult to trace, makes this arrest even more significant.”

Both Williams and Anderson were charged with possession of defaced firearm, possession of firearm without a permit, possession of CDS, possession with intent to distribute and possession of paraphernalia. Williams is presently being held at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution on $57,000 bail and Anderson was released on a summons.