Top Sox Prospect's Father Arrested On Drug Charges

OCEAN COUNTY, NJ — Three Southern Ocean County men - including Boston Red Sox top prospect Jason Groome's father - were arrested by Barnegat police and members of the Ocean County SWAT team on July 10 on multiple drug charges, a spokesman for the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said.

Authorities stopped Groome's 2010 Dodge Ram at the Gunning River Mall in Barnegat on West Bay Avenue at 4:40 p.m. on July 10. Groome was found with 2 ounces of cocaine and a defaced, 9mm handgun.

A no-knock search warrant was executed on all three homes by the Ocean County Prosecutor's Special Operations Group, drug enforcement units from the Barnegat, Stafford and Little Egg Harbor police departments, the Ocean County Sheriff's K-9 unit and the Ocean County Regional SWAT team, he said.

Groome, 43, of the unit block of Capstan Avenue, Barnegat, was charged with possession of heroin, possession of heroin with intent to distribute, distribution of heroin, possession of cocaine, possession of cocaine over one-half ounce with intent to distribute, distribution of cocaine over one-half ounce, possession of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, distribution of methamphetamine, possession of a firearm ( a 9mm handgun) and possession of a firearm during a controlled dangerous substance offense, Della Fave said.

Groome is lodged in the Ocean County Jail in Toms River waiting for a detention hearing.

Jason Groome is the top pitching prospect for the Red Sox. He was drafted No. 12 overall and currently pitches for the Lowell Spinenrs.

Also arrested were Anthony Brandt, 53, of the unit block of Longboat Avenue, Barnegat. He was charged with possession of marijuana, possession of cocaine, possession of suboxone and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released on a summons pending a court date, Della Fave said.

Authorities also seized less than half an ounce cocaine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and a Mossberg 12 gauge pump-style shotgun from Brandt's home.

Also arrested was Daniel Wunder, 61, of the 600 block of North Green Street, Little Egg Harbor. He was charged charged with possession of Oxydocone with the intent to distribute and possession of MDMA (Ecstasy). He was released on a summons pending a future court date, Della Fave said.

Police also seized approximately 400 Oxycodone pills and a .22-caliber rifle from Wunder's residence.
Ocean County Prosecutor’s Captain Jack Sramaty, who serves as the chairman of the New Jersey County Commanders Association and is the commander of the Prosecutor’s Special Operations Group, commended the efforts of all the law enforcement agencies that participated in this investigation.

“This investigation is a prime example of what can be achieved by law enforcement when local and county police agencies join forces to combat the distribution of narcotics and firearms in Ocean County," Sramaty said.

Story by Patricia A. Miller, Patch staff

Images: Groome (Ocean County Prosecutor's office)