TOMS RIVER — A Toms River man has admitted to multiple drug trafficking, financial facilitation and eluding charges stemming from two separate narcotics investigations, with prosecutors seeking a total sentence of 15 years in state prison.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that Phillip Tarver, 41, pleaded guilty July 6 before Superior Court Judge Guy P. Ryan to multiple offenses connected to investigations in January and August 2025.
Tarver admitted to possession with intent to distribute more than one-half ounce but less than five ounces of cocaine and financial facilitation related to a Jan. 21, 2025 investigation. He also pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine, eluding law enforcement and financial facilitation in connection with an Aug. 12, 2025 incident.
When Tarver is sentenced Sept. 11, prosecutors will seek two concurrent 12-year New Jersey State Prison terms for the drug distribution convictions, a consecutive three-year sentence for the financial facilitation offenses and a concurrent seven-year sentence for the eluding conviction, for an overall recommended sentence of 15 years.
According to prosecutors, the first investigation began Jan. 21, 2025, when detectives with the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force were conducting surveillance on Keith Morse, 38, of Toms River, during an undercover cocaine transaction. 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 search warrant, investigators recovered pills, a knife and about $5,300 in cash from the vehicle. A subsequent search at the Ocean County Jail allegedly uncovered approximately 110 grams of crack cocaine concealed on Tarver. He was charged and later released under New Jersey’s bail reform law.
Morse pleaded guilty June 15, 2026, to possession with intent to distribute cocaine. His sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 21.
The second case occurred Aug. 12, 2025, during a separate narcotics investigation conducted by the Toms River Township Police Department Special Enforcement Team.
Authorities said officers attempted to stop Tarver’s vehicle on the Garden State Parkway near mile marker 83, but he fled while throwing objects from the vehicle. The pursuit continued into South Toms River before officers ended it because of safety concerns.
Investigators recovered the discarded items, which allegedly contained about 21 grams of cocaine. Tarver was later located in Barnegat Township and arrested without incident. Officers also seized approximately $10,000 in cash during a search following his arrest.
Tarver has remained lodged in the Ocean County Jail since Aug. 12, 2025.
Prosecutors credited the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Asset Forfeiture Unit and numerous local, county and regional law enforcement agencies for their roles in the investigations.
