Manahawkin Restaurant Owners Busted For Money Laundering: Police

MANAHAWKIN, NJ — Two local restaurant owners were charged after a money laundering investigation, police said.

On July 10, numerous agencies including West Milford police, Sussex, Passaic and Ocean county prosecutors, police from New York state, Stafford police and the Ocean County Regional SWAT Team raided several locations in Hewitt, Manahawkin, Keyport and West Nyack, NY, according to a news release from the West Milford Police Department.

Police seized about $200,000 in cash, several vehicles, ATVs, a trailer and a shipping container, according to the release.

In May of this year, West Milford police executed search warrants at five "Bud Bus" locations in town and seized about 115 pounds of marijuana and about $11,000 in cash, police said. A warrant was issued for the arrest of 47-year-old West Nyack resident William Schlette, owner of the Bud Bus, which describes itself as a "party bus" that sells lighters, t-shirts and more. A purchase of $60 or more gets you a "free gift" which includes a bag of cannabis, gummies, a vape cartridge or other options.

William Schlette is also listed as the owner of "The Salty Chick Inc.," a recently-opened restaurant located at 857 Mill Creek Road, Manahawkin.

He was taken into custody on Wednesday and charged with multiple drugs offenses along with racketeering, money laundering and deceptive business practices, police said.

Jennifer Schlette, 42, also of West Nyack, was charged with money laundering.

Both were taken to a county correctional facility pending a court appearance.