MANALAPAN — Drug charges that were lodged against a Manalapan resident almost two years ago are still pending.
Monmouth County First Assistant Prosecutor Peter E. Warshaw Jr. told the News Transcript on March 13 that hearings are scheduled for April in the case against John Rockford III.
In August 2007, according to information provided by Manalapan police, Rockford was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance believed to be marijuana, possession with intent to distribute marijuana (over 5 pounds), possession and possession with intent to distribute psilocybin mushrooms, possession of hashish, and possession and possession with intent to distribute a variety of prescription pills.
Police said Rockford was also charged with possession and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession of an extended ammunition clip and possession of a police scanner for unlawful purposes.
Police confiscated drugs at his home in a residential development off Taylors Mills Road, just around the corner from police headquarters. Rockford was 33 at the time of his arrest and was living at the home with his parents.
According to information provided by police at the time of Rockford’s arrest, an investigation conducted byManalapan DetectiveMichael Ratta and members of the Manalapan Police Department Investigations Bureau resulted in the issuance of a search warrant for Rockford’s home.
Detective Thomas Mahon of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office assisted in the investigation.
During a search of the home, more than 5 pounds of a substance believed to be marijuana was seized, along with a quantity of psilocybin mushrooms, hashish and several thousand prescription pills, including oxycodone, Vicodin, methadone and more than 65 Fentanyl Patches.
Also seized were several rifles and three handguns, numerous knives and daggers, and an extended ammunition magazine for one of the rifles. Police also seized two vehicles, a 1996 Mustang Cobra and a 2005 Toyota Sequoia, and approximately $7,000 in cash.
Police said Rockford had a police scanner in the garage that was set to monitor the Manalapan police frequency. Two additional scanners were also located in the home and seized, according to a police press release.
Manalapan police Capt. Louis Moreto said Rockford was “essentially running a drug store 24/7 in a residential neighborhood.”
— Mark Rosman