A Woodbridge man was convicted in Middlesex County today of trying to sell a kilo of cocaine to NJ State Police operatives in a sting operation, NJ Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa announced.

Anthony M. Fernandez, 26, of  Judy Drive in Woodbridge, was found guilty by a Middlesex County jury on October 2 following a trial before Superior Court Judge Dennis V. Nieves.  He was found guilty of first-degree possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, second-degree conspiracy, second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and third-degree possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.  

Fernandez faces a sentence of 10 to 20 years in state prison on the first-degree charge, and will have to serve one-third to one-half of the sentence imposed without possibility of parole.  A second man, Brad Toby, 27, of Perth Amboy, was arrested with Fernandez and faces pending drug charges, including a first-degree distribution charge.

Both Fernandez and Toby were arrested by State Police detectives at Fernandez’s Judy Drive residence on September 22, 2011.  The State Police had obtained information that Fernandez was selling large quantities of cocaine.  Working with cooperating witnesses, the State Police had arranged to have Fernandez sell a kilo of cocaine to an undercover detective.  Fernandez was arrested when he left his house to approach the undercover detective.  Toby allegedly attempted to flee through the back of the property but was arrested.  

The State Police executed a search warrant at the residence and seized a duffle bag containing approximately one kilo of powder cocaine, which Toby allegedly had just delivered to Fernandez. They also found a pound of marijuana in clear plastic bags, which Fernandez was keeping in his child’s bedroom.  That was the basis for the child endangerment charge against Fernandez.

Toby was indicted on charges including first-degree distribution of cocaine and second-degree conspiracy to distribute cocaine.  

The first-degree narcotics charge carries a sentence of 10 to 20 years in state prison and a fine of up to $500,000.  Under New Jersey law, that charge carries a period of parole ineligibility equal to one-third to one-half of the sentence imposed. Second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000, while the third-degree marijuana charge carries a sentence of three to five years in state prison and a fine of up to $25,000. 

Fernandez is scheduled to be sentenced on November 29.

Follow Woodbridge Patch on Facebook, Twitter and sign up for the daily newsletter.