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David Thomas, 28, was sentenced on Tuesday, Nov. 19 to 10 years in state prison, the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office said in a news release. He was convicted of first-degree maintaining a narcotics production facility, second-degree unlawful possession of an assault firearm and second-degree certain persons not to possess firearms, and third-degree money laundering and endangering the welfare of a child.
The charges stem from a Thursday, Mar. 5, 2020, search of a home in Egg Harbor Township. In Thomas' bedroom, police discovered more than a half-ounce of unpackaged heroin, wax folds containing heroin, empty packaging materials, and tools used for cutting and repackaging drugs.
Among the items also found in the bedroom were an AK-47-style assault rifle, an extended magazine, crack cocaine, and digital scales. Thomas admitted to owning the seized items from the home where an eight-year-old boy lived and could access them.
Thomas was also banned from owning a gun because he was previously convicted of aggravated assault. His sentence required him to give up the seized items and $4,508 in cash.
In a separate case, Thomas received a concurrent sentence of five years for second-degree conspiracy to engage in official misconduct. Investigators said he and two family members paid cash to a correctional officer to smuggle cell phones while Thomas was held at the Atlantic County Justice Facility.
Recordings captured Thomas and his relatives discussing the smuggling plan. Surveillance video showed the officer giving an item to Thomas.
Thomas must serve at least five years before being eligible for parole.
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