Beachwood Man Pleads Guilty In Manchester, Brick Cocaine Cases

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A Beachwood man has pleaded guilty to cocaine charges in connection with motor vehicle stops in Brick in 2020 and Manchester in 2018, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office announced Monday.

Michael Trotman, 35, faces up to 15 years in prison in the Manchester incident and an eight-year sentence in the Brick case, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

Trotman pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute in the March 4, 2020, incident. Brick Township police pulled over Trotman's vehicle because he was swerving on a road and when they approached the car, they could smell "a strong odor of marijuana," Billhimer said. Trotman was found in possession of more than a half-ounce of cocaine, along with marijuana and drug paraphernalia. He was arrested and has been at the Ocean County Jail since, Billhimer said.

In addition to pleading guilty in that case, Trotman reaffirmed his guilty plea to possession of cocaine of more than 5 ounces with intent to distribute entered Dec. 18, 2019, in his May 30, 2018, arrest in Manchester. He was pulled over by Manchester police and consented to a search of his car. Police discovered a hidden compartment in the center console area containing about 700 grams of cocaine, as well as quantities of codeine, oxycodone pills, and marijuana, all packaged for distribution. Police also found and seized about $1,400 in cash, Billhimer said. Trotman initially was held in the Ocean County Jail on the Manchester charge but was released by the court as a consequence of bail reform, Billhimer said.

Trotman is scheduled to be sentenced March 5 by Judge Michael Collins, with an expected 8-year sentence in the Brick case and 15 years in the Manchester case with five years of parole ineligibility. The sentences are to run concurrently, Billhimer said.

Senior Assistant Prosecutor Robert J. Cassidy handled the cases, and Billhimer also praised the Manchester and Brick Township police departments.

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