Chester Williams, 58, of Bridgeton, was sentenced Friday to 18 years in New Jersey State Prison for cocaine distribution and weapons offenses by the Honorable Kevin T. Smith pursuant to a plea agreement.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in open court: Williams sold cocaine and four firearms to undercover officers on several occasions. He was originally charged on 23 counts of a 44-count indictment, and in April 2025, pled guilty to first-degree distribution of cocaine and second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon.
The charges stemmed from a multi-state narcotic trafficking investigation started by the New Jersey State Police in June 2021. The investigation, conducted from February through May 2022, ultimately led to the arrest of multiple individuals. In addition to Williams, the following defendants were previously sentenced in the case:
• Anthony Williams, 46, was sentenced on June 13, 2025 to 15 years in NJ State Prison for first-degree distribution of cocaine.
• Djanyra Lawson, 29, is currently in pretrial intervention.
• Adam Keith, 38, sentenced on Nov. 7, 2025 to 2 years of probation for third degree possession of cocaine.
“This sentence is the result of years of coordinated investigative and prosecutorial work across multiple jurisdictions,” Gloucester County Prosecutor Andrew B. Johns said. “Through extensive surveillance, undercover work, and close collaboration with our law enforcement partners, we were able to disrupt a significant narcotics and firearms operation that posed a serious threat to our community.”
The State was represented by First Assistant Prosecutor Dana Anton at Friday’s sentencing.
The County of Gloucester complies with all state and federal rules and regulations against discrimination in admission to, access to, or operations of its programs, services, and activities. In addition, County encourages participation of people with disabilities in its programs and activities and offers special services to all residents 60 years of age and older. Inquiries regarding compliance may be directed to the County’s ADA Coordinator at (856) 384-6842/ New Jersey Relay Service 711.
Williams was represented by D. Coleby Rogers, Esq.
The investigation was a joint effort by the New Jersey State Police Gangs and Organized Crime South Unit and the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office. Prosecutor Johns also thanked Homeland Security Investigations, the Cumberland, Salem, and Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Offices, the Gloucester County Sheriff’s Office, the Washington Township, Deptford Township, Greenwich Township, Gloucester Township, Winslow Township, and Pennsville Police Departments, the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice, Liberty Mid Atlantic HIDTA, and the DEA’s Atlantic and Camden District Offices for their assistance in the investigation.