On 01-16-2005, at 06:00 hours,
Detective Jason Player was called to duty to investigate a shooting
at #12 Fomalhualt Court, Sewell, New Jersey. This residence is
located in the Birches West section of Washington Township. For
approximately six (6) months prior to this drive-by shooting
Washington Township Police had listed this area as a problem area
and assigned directed patrols to curb the calls for service and the
neighborhood complaints. The complaints ranged from juveniles
playing in the street to assaults, drinking in public and reported
drug sales. During this time Washington Township Police Special
Investigation Unit (SIU) was investigating the area for narcotic
activity and formulated several target locations within the area of
the Birches West Development.
Det. Player is currently assigned to
SIU and was the on call Duty Detective for Washington Township
Police that day. Det. Player had a very good understanding of the
problems in this area through SIU investigations which made him
aware of most of the reported names and locations.
On location Det. Player was briefed on
the case by the Patrol Officers who were the first to arrive on
location of the reported shooting. Det. Player was assisted by Det.
P. Ferris from the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime
Unit. At this time based on witness statements an on site
investigation it was clear this was not an accidental shooting, but
in fact a intentional drive – by shooting with the residences at #12
Fomalhualt Court as the target of the gun fire.
Within a ten (10) hour time frame, Det.
Player developed suspect vehicle information which subsequently lead
to the recovery of bullet casings that were found in the vehicle.
Det. Player continued his aggressive pursuit of the persons
responsible for the shooting. With information obtained during his
investigation Det. Player identified two (2) suspects as possible
shooters in this case. Det. Player and members of his investigation
team responded to a suspect’s residence where he interviewed a male
suspect that was reported to be involved in the shooting. Based on
his diligent and professional interview skills, Det. Player effected
an arrest of a juvenile male who was in possession of one (1) of the
handguns used in the shooting.
This male lead Det. Player to Franklin
Township where the second handgun was located in a barn. Within a
twenty-four hour time frame Det. Player arrested two (2) persons
involved in the shooting and recovered two (2) handguns used in the
shooting.
During the following week Det. Player
identified a third (3rd) person that had been involved in the
shooting and located same in Gloucester Township N.J. This person
had to be extracted from a residence in Gloucester Township via a
SWAT team.
While working with the Gloucester
County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Det. Player identified
the person who supplied the illegal firearms that were used in the
shooting. This person resided in the City of Philadelphia and was
not only supplying firearms to young Washington Township citizens,
but was also identified as a major supplier of narcotics to
juveniles and adults.
At this point a joint investigation
was started, that now encompassed Washington Township Police,
Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit and the FBI
office in Philadelphia. The target of the investigation in
Philadelphia was a known Asian Gang member.
Through good investigative techniques
and support of the agencies involved an undercover operation began.
Det. Player was selected to work in an undercover capacity after a
very lengthy interview and evaluation process that was conducted by
the FBI in Washington DC. It should be noted that very few
municipal Police Officers / Detectives have been selected to perform
undercover operations and received authorization from the FBI
Headquarters to work in this capacity.
A long term investigation was started
that lasted one (1) year and eleven (11) months. Det. Player
infiltrated the Asian male illegal network of narcotics and
firearms. Det. Player covertly became a customer of the Asian male
suspect and he successfully purchased over ten (10) ounces of crack
cocaine, marijuana and a fully operational assault rifle (AK-47)
from the Asian male. While Det. Player continued his role as an
undercover officer dealing with the Asian male on a weekly basics an
electronic surveillance was put in place to monitor the Asian male’s
illegal network. This electronic surveillance identified twenty-six
(26) young adult residents from Washington Township who were dealing
with the Asian male in narcotic transactions. As a result a Task
Force was formed and twenty-four (24) arrests were made for the
possession of narcotics.
The arrest of the Asian male came with
team work and Det. Players unwavering dedication, efforts,
effectiveness and high level of professionalism exhibited during
this investigation. The Asian male is facing Federal charges that
require a minimum twenty (20) year imprisonment. As of October 19,
2006, this case is now in Federal Court and as a result I DSG.
Richard L. Sumek, have been authorized by the FBI to disclose this
case and Det. Players outstanding service.
