Ocean County Residents Face Serious Charges for Drug Distribution

Ocean County Residents Face Serious Charges for Drug Distribution

According to the Ocean County Prosecutors Office, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office Narcotics Strike Force collaborated with the Seaside Heights Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, and Asbury Park Police Department, to conduct an extensive investigation into the distribution of illegal narcotics in the Ocean County area. This month-long cooperative multi-agency investigation identified a residence in Seaside Heights as being utilized by Leo Johnson, 50, and Michelle Karcher, 46, both of Seaside Heights, to store and distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, and ecstasy pills.

On May 18, 2026, Detectives from the aforementioned agencies established stationary and mobile surveillance on the subject residence in Seaside Heights. Detectives surveilled Johnson leave the residence and travel to Monmouth County.

Karcher was likewise seen leaving the residence and was observed by Detectives engaging in a controlled dangerous substance transaction with a known controlled dangerous substance user. Detectives then surveilled Karcher travel to Asbury Park.

With the assistance of the Asbury Park Police Department, Detectives effectuated a motor vehicle stop on the vehicle operated by Karcher. Karcher was taken into custody without incident. Upon his return to the residence, Johnson was likewise taken into custody without incident.

Detectives subsequently executed a court-authorized search warrant on the residence in Seaside Heights. As a result, Detectives seized approximately 330 grams of Methamphetamine, 105 grams of cocaine, 35 grams of suspect fentanyl pills, a quantity of ecstasy pills, drug paraphernalia indicative of narcotics distribution, and $3,000 in United States currency.

Leo Johnson was charged with Possession of Five Ounces or More of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of More than One-Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of More than One-Ounce of Fentanyl with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Five Ounces or More of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute Within 500 feet of a Recreation Zone, Possession of More than One- Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute Within 500 feet of a Recreation Zone, Possession of More than One Ounce of Fentanyl with Intent to Distribute Within 500 feet of a Recreation Zone, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Fentanyl, Possession of Ecstasy, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Johnson was transported to the Ocean County Jail where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.

Michelle Karcher was charged with Possession of Five Ounces or More of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of More than One-Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of More than One Ounce of Fentanyl with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Five Ounces or More of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute Within 500 feet of a Recreation Zone, Possession of More than One-Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute Within 500 feet of a Recreation Zone, Possession of More than One Ounce of Fentanyl with Intent to Distribute Within 500 feet of a Recreation Zone, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Fentanyl, Possession of Ecstasy, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Wandering to Obtain/Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance.

Karcher was transported to the Ocean County Jail where she is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.