Three employees arrested at Monmouth Park Racetrack

Three employees arrested
at Monmouth Park Racetrack

Responding to a maternity call led police to discover narcotics at the Monmouth Park Racetrack which led to the arrest of three employees.

On July 29, According to Monmouth County Prosecutor John Kaye, when police arrived at the track security office, they were informed that the maternity emergency was attended to but that there may be a drug situation.

Sgt. Steven Cioffi and Officer Michael Kelly found two individuals with narcotics and weapons in a dorm area of a barn at approximately 5:45 p.m.

One individual, Juan Cortez Soto, 31, was found sitting on a bed with drugs in the process of packaging cocaine and marijuana. Also found was a small amount of money, a .357-caliber Magnum revolver, 44 bullets and a stun gun. Carlos Alvarez, 34, and Manuel Herrera, 33 were also present in the dorm. All three were employees of the track.

"The weapon was found not to be registered," said Kaye.

According to Kaye, 254 grams of marijuana and 12 grams of cocaine, along with packaging items, were seized from the dorm.

Soto, Alvarez and Herrera were arrested and charged with illegal possession of a firearm, possession of cocaine and marijuana, possession of drugs with the intent to distribute, and with intent to distribute within 500 feet of a public park. The racetrack, which is operated by the N.J. Sports and Exposition Authority qualifies as a park.

Judge Theodore Lebreque set bail at $55,000 per individual without availability of a 10-percent bond. All three men are currently at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution, Freehold Township.