Ocean County Sheriff’s officer charged with misconduct, theft, drugs

A lieutenant in the Ocean County Sheriff's K9 squad is suspended without pay, amid allegations that he pocketed cocaine used to train the dogs for his own use.

Lieutenant John C. Adams, 40, faces second-degree counts of official misconduct and theft, and a third-degree charge of possession of cocaine, according to the office of Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato.

Adams surrendered today at the Toms River Police Department. The Sheriff's Office was involved in the investigation, along with the Prosecutor's Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Department of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Adams has been a member of the Sheriff's Office since 2000. Investigators determined that cocaine unaccountably disappeared from storage in the department between May 15, 2015, when Adams obtained the drug with authorization, through February 11 of this year.

Adams was served with a complaint summons in Toms River. Court proceedings have yet to be scheduled.

Charges are allegations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless, and until, found guilty in a court of law.