Beachwood Man Gets 15 Years In Manchester, Brick Drug-Dealing

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A Beachwood man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison in connection with a pair of drug distribution arrests in Brick and Manchester, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said Friday.

Michael A. Trotman, 36, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for his guilty plea to possession of more than 5 ounces of cocaine with intent to distribute, which stemmed from his 2018 arrest in Manchester, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

State Superior Court Judge Michael T. Collins additionally sentenced Collins to 8 years in prison for his guilty plea to possession of more than a half-ounce to 5 ounces of cocaine with intent to distribute, from his 2020 arrest in Brick, Billhimer said.

The sentences are to run concurrently, Billhimer said.

Manchester police pulled Trotman over on May 30, 2018, and a search of his vehicle turned up a hidden compartment in the center console. Inside the compartment were about 700 grams of cocaine and unspecified amounts of codeine, oxycodone pills, and marijuana, all of which were packaged for distribution, Billhimer said. Manchester police also seized $1,400 in cash.

Trotman was taken to the Ocean County Jail but released under New Jersey's bail reform rules.

On March 4, 2020, Brick Township Police pulled Trotman over after seeing his vehicle swerving on the road. Officers smelled a strong odor of marijuana and Trotman was found in possession of more than a half-ounce of cocaine, along with marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Trotman was arrested and has been held at the Ocean County Jail since that date, Billhimer said.

Billhimer praised Senior Assistant Prosecutor Robert J. Cassidy and the efforts of Manchester and Brick Township police in Trotman's arrests and guilty pleas.

Click here to get Patch email notifications, or download our app to have breaking news alerts sent right to your phone. Have a news tip? Email karen.wall@patch.com Follow Toms River Patch on Facebook.