The following is based on information received from a law enforcement agency. The person(s) named is innocent unless proven otherwise in court.
WILDWOOD – At approximately 2 a.m. June 25, the Wildwood Police Department Uniform Patrol Division responded to the 4200 block of Ocean Avenue, for a citizen complaint.
According to a release, during the preliminary investigation, it was determined that the manager of a local motel complex reported that subsequent to investigating suspicious activity, he found a loaded firearm in one of the rooms, which was recently vacated.
During the follow-up investigation, two individuals identified as persons of interest were detained in connection to the investigation. They were Mutatie Johnson, 29, from Altoona, Pa., and Jacqueline Gruhler, 39, from Morton, Pa.
During the investigation, a loaded Ruger 9mm semi-automatic handgun and distribution quantities of heroin, prepackaged for street-level sales/distribution, were recovered.
The seized prepackaged heroin had an estimated street value of $400. Also seized was $1,000, linked to the street-level sales of contraband and was confiscated due to the illicit contraband sales.
Also seized in connection to the investigation, was a quantity of cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, prescription medication and narcotics paraphernalia.
As a result of the investigation, Johnson was charged with: possession of heroin; possession of heroin with intent to distribute; possession of heroin with intent to distribute within 500 feet of certain public property; possession of a firearm without a permit; possession of a defaced firearm; possession of a firearm while involved in narcotics distribution; certain person not to possess a firearm; possession of narcotics paraphernalia; and possession of marijuana, disorderly persons offense.
Additionally, Johnson was charged with being a fugitive from justice from Pennsylvania. Johnson was processed and transported to the Cape May County Correctional Facility, following the Attorney General Guidelines in connection with the Criminal Justice Bail Reform Directive.
Gruhler was charged with: possession of heroin; possession of heroin with intent to distribute; possession of heroin with intent to distribute within 500 feet of certain public property; possession of a firearm without a permit; possession of a defaced firearm; possession of a firearm while involved in narcotics distribution; possession of narcotics paraphernalia; and possession of marijuana.
Gruhler’s charges were placed on summons complaints. She was released pending a future court appearance.
