Javin Ward, 35, of Parsippany-Troy Hills, was found guilty today by a Morris County jury of second-degree charges of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, distribution of cocaine, and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, as well as third-degree possession of cocaine.  He was convicted following a trial before Superior Court Judge Salem Vincent Ahto.  The charges were contained in a 2011 state grand jury indictment.

Deputy Attorneys General Ray Mateo and Annmarie Taggart tried the case for the Division of Criminal Justice Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau. 

Judge Ahto scheduled sentencing for Ward for June 21.  The second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000, while the third-degree charge carries a sentence of three to five years in prison and a fine of up to $35,000.

The state presented testimony and evidence at trial that between March 14 and May 21, 2011, Ward conspired to distribute cocaine with another man who acted as his supplier.  During that time period, an undercover detective for the Division of Criminal Justice made seven purchases of cocaine from Ward totaling more than 3 ounces.  The investigation began after detectives developed information that Ward was selling large amounts of cocaine from his home on Alba Place in Parsippany-Troy Hills.  Ward was arrested and initially charged in the investigation on June 1, 2011.

Detectives Terry Shaw, Louis Renshaw and Luis Cruz conducted the investigation for the Division of Criminal Justice North Narcotics Squad.

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