Collingswood man sentenced to 12 years for leading cocaine distribution in South Jersey

A Collingswood man who led a cocaine distribution network in South Jersey and sold two guns to an undercover detective was sentenced to state prison today. Nicholas C. Stens, 26, of Collingswood, was sentenced to 12 years in prison, including 4.5 years of parole ineligibility, by Superior Court Judge Irvin J. Snyder in Camden County.  Stens pleaded guilty on March 12 to first-degree cocaine distribution and second-degree unlawful possession of a hand gun. He received 12 years in prison with 4.5 years of parole ineligibility on the narcotics charge, and a concurrent sentence of five years with three years of parole ineligibility on the gun charge.  The charges were contained in a Nov. 16, 2011 state grand jury indictment that stemmed from Operation White Cloud, a cooperative investigation conducted by the FBI/South Jersey Violent Offenders Gang Task Force, New Jersey State Police and numerous other state and local police departments. “Through our multi-agency investigation, we have secured a lengthy prison sentence for the leader of this cocaine distribution network, who also illegally sold guns,” said Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa. “We’ll continue to join forces across all levels of law enforcement to target the criminals who bring narcotics and deadly weapons into our communities in New Jersey.” In January 2011, during the course of the multi-agency investigation, Stens sold a .40-caliber semi-automatic handgun and ammunition for $800 to an undercover Voorhees Township police officer, authorities said.  Later, the same officer purchased distribution quantities of cocaine and a 12-guage shotgun from Stens. Two co-defendants of Stens – Dominick M. Leonetti Jr., 48, and Robert A. Schafer, 25, both of Maple Shade – previously pleaded guilty to second-degree conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Officials said the state will recommend that Leonetti be sentenced to up to seven years in state prison, and will recommend that Schafer be sentenced to five years in prison. Leonetti is scheduled for sentencing on Oct. 19, and Schafer, on July 13. A third co-defendant, Joseph P. Hackney, 30, of Westmont, pleaded guilty to third-degree conspiracy and faces a recommended sentence of 180 days in jail and a term of probation. Charges of second-degree conspiracy to distribute cocaine are pending against two other alleged members of Stens’ network: Roberto L. Ortiz, 27, of Haddon Township, and Eugene “Rick” Wilson, 44, of National Park, N.J.  The charges against those defendants are merely accusations, and they are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The defendants were arrested in early April 2011, when participating agencies executed search and arrest warrants at various locations in South Jersey.  A total of 22 ounces of cocaine valued at over $20,000, $15,000 in cash and a vehicle were seized during the course of the investigation.