TOMS RIVER — A Toms River man has been sentenced to six years in state prison for illegally possessing a firearm following a 2023 police stop in South Toms River, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer.
Superior Court Judge Kimarie Rahill sentenced 32-year-old Amir Reid to six years in New Jersey State Prison, including five years without parole eligibility, after he pleaded guilty in July to being a certain person not to possess a firearm.
Authorities said the charge stemmed from a July 2, 2023, traffic stop outside the Wawa on Route 166 in South Toms River. Officers ran a check on a 2016 Chevrolet Impala and found its registration had expired. When police pulled the vehicle over, they discovered Reid behind the wheel with a male passenger.
Police said Reid was unable to produce valid registration or insurance documents. After a K-9 unit detected the odor of narcotics, officers searched the car and found methamphetamine and a loaded 9mm Taurus handgun.
Investigators later confirmed that Reid had a prior firearm conviction, barring him from owning or possessing a gun in New Jersey. Both he and the passenger were arrested and taken to the Ocean County Jail, but later released under bail reform provisions.
Prosecutors said Reid took responsibility during his guilty plea and cleared his co-defendant of wrongdoing. The charges against the passenger were dismissed in the interest of justice.
Billhimer praised Assistant Prosecutor Lynn Juan for handling the case and commended the South Toms River Police Department and its K-9 Unit for their work in the investigation.
