Investigation Of South Jersey Brothers Leads To Drug Charges
BLACKWOOD, NJ (CBS) – An investigation into the illegal sale of prescription drugs in Gloucester Township led to the arrest of two brothers who are now charged with dealing.
During the months of August through October 2012, a Gloucester Township police investigation revealed that brothers Dominic Hedgepeth and Pradell Hedgepeth were allegedly operating independently of one another in the drug trade.
Dominic Hedgepeth, a 23-year-old from Blackwood, reportedly distributed oxycodone pills to undercover officers in exchange for money. The sale happened in the parking lot of the Autumn Ridge Apartments in Blackwood, which is within 1,000 feet of Charles W. Lewis Middle School on Erial Road. Officers executed a warrant in the Autumn Ridge Apartments on Oct. 25, where they discovered firearms and a significant amount of oxycodone pills. Hedgepeth was charged with three counts of Possession of CDS (3rd degree), Possession of CDS w/Intent to Distribute (3rd degree), Illegal Transfer of Firearms (4th degree), and Distribution Within 1000 ft. of School (3rd degree), and bail was set at $25,000. He was released on bail.
On Jan. 4, a Gloucester Township officer stopped a car on College Drive in Blackwood just after 11:30 p.m. for an equipment violation. Pradell Hedgepeth, the 25-year-old brother of Dominic, who is living in Sicklerville, was arrested for an outstanding warrant in Camden. Police also located a hypodermic needle, a bag of heroin and nine pills identified as oxycodone inside the vehicle. He was charged with two counts of Possession of CDS (3rddegree) and Possession of a Hypodermic Needle (Disorderly Persons).
Previously, Pradell had sold oxycodone pills to undercover officers near the Erial Community Church Bible School in Erial. Pradell was charged with Possession of CDS (3rd degree) and Possession of CDS w/Intent to Distribute (3rd degree), and Distribution Within 1000 ft. of School (3rd degree). He was remanded to the Camden County Correctional Facility in default of 15,000.00 full cash bail along with above charges.
Gloucester Township police say the arrest of the brothers is another example of their enhanced drug enforcement campaigns.
