December 01, 2017
The head of K-9 training in Ocean County pleaded guilty this week to charges of official misconduct and theft after prosecutors said he stole cocaine intended to be used for canine training.
Ocean County Sheriff's Officer John C. Adams submitted the pleas Thursday following an investigation that began in January, according to the district attorney's office.
Prosecutors said Adams came under scrutiny when investigators determined that he failed to properly secure cocaine used in the canine training unit.
Adams allegedly told authorities that the cocaine was accidentally discarded with other canine training items. Further investigation revealed that Adams blamed other members of the unit for the cocaine's disappearance after he diverted more than one kilogram (about 2.2 pounds) of the substance for personal consumption, according to prosecutors.
Adams, a sheriff's officer for 16 years, was sentenced to three years in state prison, including a mandatory period of parole ineligibility of two years. He must forfeit his public employment and will be barred from any future government employment in the United States.
