Seaside Heights Couple Charged After Cops Seize Meth, Cocaine, Cash

Leo Johnson, 50, and Michelle Karcher, 46. (Photos: Ocean County Jail)

A Seaside Heights couple is facing drug distribution charges after cops seized more than 330 grams of methamphetamine, 105 grams of cocaine, various pills and $3,000 in cash following an investigation.

Leo Johnson, 50, and Michelle Karcher, 46, both of Seaside Heights, allegedly used a residence in Seaside Heights to store and distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, and ecstasy pills, and were arrested down following a lengthy investigation by Seaside Heights police, the county sheriff and prosecutor’s offices, plus Asbury Park police. The charges were announced Wednesday in a statement issued by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.

The investigation came to a climax on May 18, 2026, when detectives established “stationary and mobile surveillance” on the suspects’ residence in Seaside Heights. Detectives surveilled Johnson leave the residence and travel to Monmouth County. Karcher was likewise seen leaving the residence and was observed by detectives “engaging in a controlled dangerous substance transaction with a known controlled dangerous substance user,” the statement said. Detectives then tracked Karcher as she traveled to Asbury Park. With the assistance of the Asbury Park Police Department, detectives performed a motor vehicle stop on the vehicle operated by Karcher, who was taken into custody without incident. Upon his return to the residence, Johnson was likewise taken into custody without incident.

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Detectives then executed a court-authorized search warrant on the residence in Seaside Heights, the address of which was not disclosed. As a result, authorities seized approximately 330 grams of Methamphetamine, 105 grams of cocaine, 35 grams of suspected fentanyl pills, a quantity of ecstasy pills, drug paraphernalia “indicative of narcotics distribution,” and $3,000 in cash.

Johnson was charged with possession of five ounces or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of more than one-half ounce but less than five ounces of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of more than one-ounce of fentanyl with intent to distribute, possession of five ounces or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute within 500 feet of a recreation zone, possession of more than one- half ounce but less than five ounces of cocaine with intent to distribute within 500 feet of a recreation zone, possession of more than one ounce of fentanyl with intent to distribute within 500 feet of a recreation zone, possession of methamphetamine, possession of cocaine, possession of fentanyl, possession of ecstasy, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was transported to the ocean county jail where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.

Karcher was charged with possession of five ounces or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of more than one-half ounce but less than five ounces of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of more than one ounce of fentanyl with intent to distribute, possession of five ounces or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute within 500 feet of a recreation zone, possession of more than one-half ounce but less than five ounces of cocaine with intent to distribute within 500 feet of a recreation zone, possession of more than one ounce of fentanyl with intent to distribute within 500 feet of a recreation zone, possession of methamphetamine, possession of cocaine, possession of fentanyl, possession of ecstasy, possession of drug paraphernalia, and wandering to obtain/distribute a controlled dangerous substance.

She was transported to the ocean county jail where she is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.