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Court hearings are pending for seven residents, a Long Branch woman and 16-year-old juvenile arrested over the weekend in relation to drug related offenses and other charges, according to a news release from the Ocean Township Police Department.

The arrests were the result of a search warrant executed at a Monmouth Road home as part of an ongoing investigation.

Apprehended were township residents Robert Blount, 19, Edwin Rodriguez, 18, Paul Ashton, 24, Alfredo Quintanar, 18, Paula Ashton, 25, Steven Toone, 27, Donica Rodriguez, 47, and Long Branch residents Paulette Ashton, 29, and a 16-year-old female.

From the news release:

On 5/20/16 at approximately 1:00 pm, members of the Township of Ocean Police Department executed a search warrant at a residence on Monmouth Rd. The search warrant was part of an ongoing investigation by members of the Township of Ocean Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Bureau. During the execution of that search warrant detectives located drugs, drug paraphernalia, and fireworks.

The home’s occupants, Blount and Rodriguez, were taken into custody and officials seized an undisclosed amount of cash believed to be proceeds from drug related transactions, according to the news release.

During the execution of the search warrant, one of three pit bull dogs found in the home bit an officer, who was subsequently treated for a minor laceration and released from an area hospital.

All three animals were taken into custody by Animal Control and turned over to the SPCA where they were housed in quarantine, officials said.

At the time of the search warrant, detectives located and arrested Quintanar at his residence and charged him with possession of fireworks.

Blount was charged with possession of under 50 grams of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of fireworks, and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

Edwin Rodriguez was charged with possession of under 50 grams of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Paul Ashton, who resides at the residence, was charged with cocaine possession and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was remanded to Monmouth County Jail for unrelated charges.

The 16-year-old juvenile was charged with possession of under 50 grams of marijuana and her  charges were forwarded to Monmouth County Family Court.

The Division of Child Permanency and Protection was contacted in reference to the 16-year-old, as well as in relation to an  infant who resided at the Monmouth Road home, officials said.

On Sunday Toone, who resided at the residence with fiancé Paula Ashton and their young child, was charged with possession of under 50 grams of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of fireworks.

Currently charges are pending against Paula Ashton.

Donica Rodriguez and Paulette Ashton were charged by Animal Control Officer Debbie Nagel with unlicensed dog violations and issued township summons.

As a result of the search warrant execution, the Township’s Code Enforcement inspected the premises and violations summonses are pending, officials said.

The officers involved with the investigation, search warrant execution and subsequent arrests include Capt. Michael Sorrentino, Det Lt. Timothy Torchia, Lt. Eduardo Segarra, and Det. Sgt. Gregory Tongring; Detectives Bryan Morgan, Mike Legg, Jeff Malone, Mike Melody, Jesse Orbach and Raheem Carter; Police Officers Trevor Dickerson, Randy Slawsky, Mark Deltin, Phillip Jackson, Joseph Bones, and Glennis Polanco; and Special Officer Andy Floros. Allenhurst Police Officer Anthony Carafa and K-9 Bia assisted, as well as Long Branch Animal Control Officer Debbie Nagel.

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