Story by Ethan
On July 2nd, 2025, the arrest of Roderick Seward, age 30, was announced by Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer. Roderick Seward was charged with Possession of Less than One Half Ounce of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Cocaine, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose. The arrest and charges against Roderick Seward were a result of an investigation launched by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Toms River Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit.
According to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, a 911 call was made at approximately 5:50 a.m. on May 9th, 2025, reporting an altercation between Roderick Seward and McNeill, on Adams Avenue in Toms River, New Jersey. Raniek Mendez was witnessed leaving the property, however at 7:20 a.m. another 911 call was made for the same residence reporting another altercation and a gunshot fired. Responding officers located a Raniek Mendez, age 34, with a stab wound, and unfortunately he succumbed to his wounds while being treated in Community Medical Center in Toms River, New Jersey. Officers also recovered a single bullet shell casing from the scene. Roderick Seward was also transported by a family member to Ocean University Medical Center in Brick Township, New Jersey to be treated for non life-threatening injuries. Detectives were able to identify and locate the vehicle used to flee during the stabbing, and a motor vehicle stop was attempted. The driver, identified as McNeill, initially did not abide, however eventually the vehicle was brought to a stop before he was arrested without incident. McNeill was found to be responsible for stabbing Raniek Mendez and was subsequently charged with Murder, Attempted Murder, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, being a Certain Person Not to Possess a Weapon, and Eluding. Further investigation at the residence on Adams Avenue uncovered a backpack belonging to Roderick Steward that contained an unspecified quantity of cocaine.
The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office stated that the charges against Roderick Seward are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
