Pleasantville Man Sentenced for Drug Induced Death and Leader of Narcotics Network

MAYS LANDING, NJ – On Thursday, February 1, 2024, Emery Chapman, 44, of Pleasantville,
NJ, was sentenced on two separate indictments to charges of first-degree leader of a narcotics
trafficking network, first-degree possession of heroin with intent to distribute, and first-degree
strict liability for causing a drug induced death. The Honorable Bernard E. DeLury, Jr., PJCr.,
sentenced Chapman to an aggregate term of 21 years in New Jersey State Prison with nine
years of parole ineligibility. Upon his release, Chapman will also be subject to five years of
intensive parole supervision under the No Early Release Act.
In December 2018, Emery supplied heroin to Brian Whitted, then 61, of Galloway Township,
NJ. Whitted later resold some of that heroin to a Galloway man, who ingested the heroin,
overdosed, and died. Like Chapman, Whitted previously pleaded guilty to causing a drug
induced death and he was sentenced to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison with eight- and
one-half years of parole ineligibility under the No Early Release Act. He is still serving his
prison term.
Subsequently, in 2020, Chapman was the subject of an investigation which revealed that he
was overseeing a narcotics distribution network while in custody in facilities located in Atlantic
County, NJ, and Georgia. By using contraband cellphones, Chapman conspired with other
members of his drug network to purchase drugs from Philadelphia and resell them in Atlantic
County. The investigation led to the recovery of 19,650 bags of heroin, weighing
approximately nine- and one-half ounces.
Chapman’s co-defendants on the leader and distribution charges have all pleaded guilty and
are pending sentencing later this month.
Tennille Lee, 47, of Atlantic City, NJ, and Teresa Lockhart, 37, of Millville, NJ, each pleaded
guilty to drug distribution charges in exchange for a sentencing recommendation of five years
in New Jersey State Prison.
Ebony Chapman, 43, of Absecon, NJ, also pleaded guilty to possession of heroin with intent to
distribute and she is expected to be sentenced to a term of probation.
These cases were investigated and prosecuted by the Gangs, Guns, and Narcotics Unit of the
Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office and the Liberty Mid-Atlantic DEA HIDTA Task Force.