Lakehurst man gets 8 years after accidentally dropping cocaine in front of Lakewood cop

TOMS RIVER - A Lakehurst man who accidentally dropped a bundle of crack cocaine in front of a Lakewood police officer has been sentenced to eight years in state prison, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer.

Peter Nickey, 32, of Lakehurst, had become stuck in his car on the side of Route 88 in Lakewood on Nov. 25, 2018, Billhimer said.

When police arrived on the scene to assist Nickey, “a large amount of crack cocaine fell on the ground” from a vest he was reaching for when asked for his driver’s license, according to the Prosecutor’s Office.

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The narcotic appeared to have been packaged for distribution purposes, Billhimer said.

Nickey pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute and pleaded guilty on Sept. 15. He was sentenced last week.

Assistant Prosecutor Ashley Angelo was assigned to the case. The Lakewood Township Police Department and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit assisted with the investigation.

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Erik Larsen: 732-682-9359 or elarsen@gannettnj.com