Stafford Township, NJ - On Thursday, April 24th, 2025 at approximately 8 PM, the Stafford Township Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) conducted a motor vehicle stop which led to the arrest of 50 year old Melissa L. Clevenger of Lighthouse Drive in Manahawkin and 43 year old Robert Erhart Jr. of Jericho Road in Tuckerton. 

The investigation revealed that Clevenger and Erhart both had active outstanding no bail warrants out of the Ocean County Sheriff's Department.  During the course of the motor vehicle stop a search revealed the possession of suspected crack/cocaine and drug paraphernalia. K-9 Venus was also utilized to conduct an interior sniff of the motor vehicle which resulted in a positive indication for the presence of narcotics odor on the front passenger seating area where Clevenger was sitting. Once at Stafford Township Police Department additional crack/cocaine and drug paraphernalia was located on Clevenger's person. 

Ultimately, Clevenger  was charged with 2C:35-10A(1) Possession of Crack/Cocaine (3rd degree crime), two counts of 2C:36-2A Drug Paraphernalia (disorderly persons offense), and 2C:35-10C Failure to Give Controlled Dangerous Substances to Police (disorderly persons offense). After being processed at Stafford Township Police Department, Clevenger and Erhart were transported to Ocean County Jail awaiting a detention hearing by the Ocean County Superior Court. 

As a reminder, the Stafford Township Police Department does not release arrest photos of the defendants.  All individuals are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.