A Somers Point man arrested for allegedly running a cannabis-manufacturing facility out of his home was released from jail Wednesday.
The state agreed not to detain John Garman during a hearing, a week after he was arrested and his Mystic Point apartment raided.
Garman got emotional as Chief Assistant Prosecutor Allison Eiselen confirmed the consent for release.
The 38-year-old father of three sons will have to check in regularly with court, and must follow all rules set by the Family Court and the Division of Child Protection and Permanency, Superior Court Judge Pam D'Arcy ruled.
His charges include child endangerment, and allege that edibles, money and business cards were found in his 14-year-old son's bedroom.
Most of the product was found in the master bedroom and a closet under the stairs, the affidavit states.
It was Garman who apparently led law enforcement to his door, according to the affidavit of probable cause obtained by BreakingAC.
He "promoted his drug distribution business, 'Garmans Goods,' by advertising publicly on social media and placing jars of marijuana at various public locations in Somers Point," the affidavit reads.
"How the locals take a vacation," business cards online show.
A Facebook page includes photos and videos of the products, including raffles and freebies hidden around the area.
His business was popular and well-liked in the community, according to comments on the page, including all five-star reviews.
One of the page's posts, which appears to have been taken down, showed photos of locations where someone could be "lucky enough to find a little vacation."
Garman and his girlfriend, Donna Shiffler, were arrested during the May 25 raid, the affidavit reads. But no charges have been filed against Shiffler at this time.
She pleaded guilty to a heroin charge from 2012 and was sentenced to a noncustodial term in 2016, court records show. Shiffler served 40 days in county jail in that case.
The investigation included Garman selling marijuana, psilocybin mushrooms and THC edible products to an undercover detective at the Ocean Heights Shopping Plaza in Somers Point.
Garman told the officer that with the summer months approaching, he was going to have someone distribute his business cards on the Boardwalk, the affidavit states. The name of the person is redacted.
Vehicles operated by Garman and registered to Shiffler were also searched.
More product was found inside, along with brass knuckles, according to the affidavit.
Garman was charged with a prohibited weapon and possession during a controlled dangerous substance offense.
He faces 13 counts, although the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office said the investigation is ongoing.
Garman will remain free while the case goes through the courts.
