The father of Red Sox prospect Jason "Jay" Groome was one of three New Jersey men arrested on drugs and weapon charges following a three-month investigation, according to Ocean County (NJ.) Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato.

Jason Groome, 43 of Barnegat, New Jersey, faces a litany of charges, per a report from the prosecutor's office: possession, possession with intent to distribute and distribution of heroin; possession of cocaine, possession of cocaine over one half ounce with the intent to distribute, distribution of cocaine over one half ounce; possession, possession with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine, possession of a firearm (9 mm handgun) and possession of a firearm (9mm handgun) during a CDS offense.

Groome was stopped at 4:40 p.m. Monday afternoon by detectives, Barnegat Township Police and Ocean County Regional SWAT officers while driving a 2010 Dodge RAM pickup truck. Authorities also conducted a simultaneous search of his house.

Officers seized two ounces of cocaine and a defaced 9mm handgun from Groome during the stop and overall investigation, the report states.

Two others -- Anthony Brandt, 53, of Barnegat, NJ and Daniel Wunder, 61, of Little Egg Harbor, NJ -- were also arrested and face several drug charges. Both were released on summons' following their arrest while Groome was housed in Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing, the report states.


In total, officers from several organizations searched three residences in addition to Groome's vehicle. They also seized marijuana, drug paraphernalia, approximately 400 oxycodone pills, a pump-style shotgun and a .22 caliber rifle from the various residences.

Jason "Jay" Groome, 18, is widely considered the Red Sox' top pitching prospect. Boston drafted the 6-foot-6 lefty out of Barnegat Township, New Jersey in the first round of the 2016 MLB Draft.