Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on Monday, November 18, 2019, Orric Mitchell, 35, of Newark, was sentenced by the Honorable Guy P. Ryan, J.S.C., to a term of nine years in New Jersey State Prison with a forty-eight month period of parole ineligibility.
Officials say Mitchell was found guilty following a two-week jury trial before Judge Ryan on September 19th of Distribution of Heroin in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(3), Possession of Heroin with Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(3), and Possession of Heroin in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1).
According to police, on June 20, 2017, Mitchell was observed by members of the Toms River Township Police Department Special Enforcement Team leaving a motel on Route 37 in Toms River and walking to the 7-11 convenience store on the corner of Route 37 and Fischer Boulevard.
Prior investigation revealed that Mitchell distributed a quantity of heroin to another individual at that location. Mitchell then walked back to the motel where he was ultimately arrested. An additional quantity of approximately one hundred and forty-five wax folds of heroin was recovered from his room.
Prosecutor Billhimer would like to acknowledge the diligence of Assistant Prosecutors Ashley Angelo and Victoria Veni who skillfully tried the case on behalf of the State.
The Prosecutor likewise extends his gratitude to Detective Taryn Schwartz of the Ocean County Prosecutors Office, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Toms River Township Police Department Special Enforcement Team, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit for their combined investigative efforts which brought about Mitchell’s guilty verdict and ultimately a lengthy state prison sentence.