Lacey Pot Grower Who Told Driver He Was In 'Racist Neighborhood' Gets Sentenced

LACEY, NJ — The Lacey resident who illegally grew marijuana in his home and made racist threats to a Black delivery driver was sentenced to prison, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said Friday.

John Vincentini, 54, was sentenced to five years in New Jersey State Prison for his bias intimidation charge from a 2022 incident. He was also sentenced to five years with a 42-month period of parole ineligibility for a possession of an assault weapon firearm charge and three years for possession of more than one ounce but less than five pounds of marijuana with intent to distribute. These sentences will run concurrently.

Vincentini followed the delivery driver into a cul-de-sac where he was making deliveries on Sept. 5, 2022, Billhimer said.

He parked his car to block the delivery vehicle, Billhimer said, and confronted the driver.

Vincentini told the driver, "What are you doing in my neighborhood, don't you know this is a racist neighborhood," according to the affidavit of probable cause obtained by Patch.

He then told the driver "do you want me to get into my car, get my rifle, and blow your brains off," according to the affidavit.

The affidavit said that those were the only two things Vincentini said to the driver.

The driver then drove away, and Vincentini followed him for a "short period of time" before pulling into a driveway on a neighboring street, the affidavit said. The driver contacted Lacey police.

Then, on March 15, 2024, residents reported to Lacey police that a repurposed Amazon delivery box that had marijuana in it was delivered to their doorstep, Billhimer said.

Investigation found that Vincentini was responsible for delivering the box, authorities said.
On March 21, detectives executed a court-authorized search warrant on the Vincentinis home. They seized about 10 pounds of marijuana, 15 marijuana plants, drug paraphernalia associated with the packaging and distribution of narcotics, two assault firearms, a rifle style BB gun, and about $150,000 in cash, authorities said.

Both he and his wife, Karen Vincentini, were taken into custody, Billhimer said. The charges against his wife remain pending.