MORRIS COUNTY, N.J. – Three men are facing a long list of drug and weapons charges after a Morris County narcotics investigation led to coordinated searches in Cedar Knolls, Parsippany and multiple vehicles and storage locations, authorities announced Friday.
Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally and Lincoln Park Police Chief John Cifelli said investigators executed search warrants on Nov. 13 at a Cedar Knolls residence in Hanover Township, a home in Parsippany-Troy Hills, four vehicles and a Parsippany storage unit.
At the Cedar Knolls home, detectives seized approximately 24 grams of suspected ketamine, about 10 grams of suspected cocaine, roughly 20 suspected MDMA pills, more than six ounces of suspected marijuana, drug distribution paraphernalia and nearly $18,000 in cash believed to be drug proceeds. A search of a Nissan Altima associated with Jeremy Mayes also yielded a Glock 43 handgun that had been reported stolen in Mississippi.
At the Parsippany residence, investigators recovered approximately 64 grams of suspected cocaine, a loaded revolver and additional paraphernalia consistent with drug distribution.
Authorities said that Jeremy C. Mayes, 35, of Cedar Knolls; Casey J. Young, 32, of Morris Plains; and Adrian D. Schwerdt-O’Neil, 34, of Parsippany, operated a drug distribution network in Morris County between Sept. 1 and Nov. 13. Mayes and Young were taken into custody when officers observed Young arriving at the Cedar Knolls residence in a Madison Department of Public Works truck, where he was employed.
Young was found carrying access cards for a Parsippany storage unit. After obtaining an additional search warrant, investigators found a loaded Glock 31 handgun, suspected LSD tabs, suspected psilocybin mushrooms, various pills and a drug ledger inside the unit.
Young faces charges including first-degree possession of LSD with intent to distribute; second-degree possession of cocaine with intent to distribute; second-degree conspiracy to distribute controlled substances; third-degree possession of cocaine; two counts of second-degree possession of a firearm during a drug offense; second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun; third-degree possession of psilocybin mushrooms; third-degree possession of LSD; and fourth-degree possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute.
Mayes is charged with second-degree possession of a firearm during a drug offense; second-degree conspiracy to distribute controlled substances; second-degree certain persons not to possess a firearm; third-degree receiving stolen property; third-degree possession of cocaine with intent to distribute; third-degree possession of ketamine with intent to distribute; third-degree possession of MDMA with intent to distribute; second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun; third-degree possession of cocaine; third-degree possession of ketamine; third-degree possession of MDMA; third-degree money laundering; and fourth-degree possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute.
Schwerdt-O’Neil is charged with second-degree possession of cocaine with intent to distribute; second-degree conspiracy to distribute controlled substances; third-degree possession of cocaine; second-degree possession of a firearm during a drug offense; and fourth-degree possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute.
Under the state’s Criminal Justice Reform Act, Mayes and Young remain detained in the Morris County Jail pending a pretrial detention hearing. Schwerdt-O’Neil was released under Pre-Trial Monitoring Level II.
The investigation was led by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Enforcement Unit Task Force, with assistance from numerous local departments and county units, including Parsippany-Troy Hills, Boonton, Morristown, Hanover, Madison, Lincoln Park, Denville and the Morris County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit. Officials said the investigation remains active.
