BEACHWOOD – A local man pled guilty to dealing cocaine and faces more than 20 years in prison.
Michael Trotman, 35, of Beachwood, admitted to Possession of Cocaine with the Intent to Distribute stemming from an arrest on March 4 in Brick. He had previously pled guilty to Possession of Cocaine in a Quantity Greater than Five Ounces with Intent to Distribute for a 2018 arrest in Manchester.
His sentencing is scheduled for March 5, police said. He faces eight years in New Jersey State Prison for the 2020 incident and 15 years with a five-year period of parole ineligibility for the 2018 incident. The sentences would run at the same time.
On May 30, 2018, Trotman was pulled over by Manchester police. He consented to a search of his vehicle which revealed a hidden compartment holding about 700 grams of cocaine, as well as codeine, oxycodone, and marijuana. All of these were packaged for distribution. There was also $1,400 in cash seized.
He was jailed but released due to bail reform.
On March 4, 2020, Brick police pulled him over when his vehicle was swerving. Officers detected a strong odor of marijuana. He was found to be in possession of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and more than one half an ounce of cocaine.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer thanked the efforts of Senior Assistant Prosecutor Robert J. Cassidy who handled these cases on behalf of the State as well as the Manchester Township Police Department and Brick Township Police Department.
