By: Richard L. Smith
A 41-year-old Toms River man has admitted to multiple drug trafficking and related charges stemming from two separate narcotics investigations and now faces a recommended 15-year state prison sentence.
According to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Phillip Tarver pleaded guilty on July 6 to multiple offenses connected to incidents that occurred in Toms River on January 21, 2025, and August 12, 2025.
Prosecutors said Tarver admitted to possession of more than one-half ounce but less than five ounces of cocaine with intent to distribute in both cases.
He also pleaded guilty to financial facilitation charges in each case, along with an eluding charge related to the August 2025 investigation.
When Tarver is sentenced on September 11, the State will recommend a total sentence of 15 years in New Jersey State Prison.
The first investigation began on January 21, 2025, when detectives assigned to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force were conducting surveillance on a suspected cocaine transaction involving Keith Morse of Toms River and an undercover detective.
During the investigation, detectives observed Morse meeting with Tarver before following Tarver through Toms River.
Police stopped Tarver’s vehicle on Route 37, where a K-9 alerted officers to the presence of narcotics. After obtaining a court-authorized search warrant, investigators recovered pills, a knife, and approximately $5,300 in cash from the vehicle.
Authorities said Tarver was later found to be carrying approximately 110 grams of crack cocaine during processing at the Ocean County Jail.
Tarver was initially released under New Jersey’s bail reform law following those charges.
Authorities said Tarver was arrested again on August 12, 2025, during a separate narcotics investigation after officers attempted to stop his vehicle on the Garden State Parkway.
Investigators alleged Tarver threw items from his vehicle while fleeing police before exiting the parkway and driving recklessly through South Toms River.
The pursuit was eventually terminated due to safety concerns.
Officers later recovered the discarded items, which contained approximately 21 grams of cocaine. Tarver was subsequently located and arrested in Barnegat Township without incident.
A search of his person allegedly uncovered approximately $10,000 in cash.
Tarver has remained lodged in the Ocean County Jail since his August 12, 2025 arrest.
His co-defendant, Keith Morse, pleaded guilty on June 15, 2026, to possession of more than one-half ounce but less than five ounces of cocaine with intent to distribute.
Morse is scheduled to be sentenced on August 21, 2026.