 Dhey Alcantara |
 Mariano Romero |
 Jesus Santana |
Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Paterson Police Department Officer-In-Charge Major Frederick P. Fife announce that based upon an investigation by the Paterson Police Department, in conjunction with the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, Dhey Alcantara, 24 years-old from Paterson, New Jersey, Jesus Santana, 30-years-old from Paterson, New Jersey, and Mariano Romero 31-years-old from Paterson, New Jersey were arrested in relation to a shooting investigation that took place April 8, 2023, in the area of Park Avenue and Carroll Street in the Paterson, New Jersey. Dhey Alcantara is charged with Attempted Murder First Degree; Unlawful Possession of a Weapon Second Degree; and Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, Second Degree. Jesus Santana is charged with three counts of Aggravated Assault, Second Degree; Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Second Degree; and Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, Second Degree. Mariano Romero is charged with Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Second Degree, and Hindering, Third Degree.
On April 8, 2023, at approximately 7:33 a.m. members of the Paterson Police Department were dispatched to the area of Park Avenue and Carroll Street on a report of shots fired. Upon arrival, members of the Paterson Police Department located a potential crime scene, but no victim was located. A short time later, Dhey Alcantara arrived at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson, New Jersey via private vehicle seeking treatment for non-fatal gunshot wounds. Based on the initial investigation Mr. Alcantara fired a handgun towards Jesus Santana, at which point Mr. Santana fired back hitting Mr. Alcantara. Mr. Romero is later seen on surveillance footage picking up the handgun that was fired by Mr. Alcantara.
Dhey Alcantara was admitted to Saint Joseph’s University Medical center for treatment of nonfatal gunshot wounds and was later identified, charged, and arrested based on the investigation. Jesus Santana was arrested by the New Jersey State Police Fugitive Task Force in Trenton, New Jersey on April 12, 2023 at approximately 2:30 pm in the area of Monmouth Street and Walnut Avenue. Mariano Romero was arrested by the Paterson Police Department on April 11, 2023 in the City of Paterson at approximately 5:00 p.m near the area of Park Avenue and Carroll Street.
The sentencing exposure for Dhey Alcantara on First Degree Attempted Murder is 10-20 years New Jersey State Prison with 85% of the term to be served before parole eligibility pursuant to the No Early Release Act and 5 years parole supervision; on Second Degree Unlawful Possession of a Handgun it is 5-10 years New Jersey State Prison with a minimum of 42 months before parole eligibility pursuant to the Graves Act; on Second Degree Possession of a Handgun for an Unlawful Purpose it is 5-10 years New Jersey State Prison with 42 months of parole ineligibility pursuant to the Graves Act.
The sentencing exposure for Jesus Santana on each count of Second Degree Aggravated Assault is 5-10 years New Jersey State Prison with 85% of the term to be served before parole eligibility pursuant to the No Early Release Act and 3 years parole supervision; on Second Degree Unlawful Possession of a Handgun it is 5-10 years New Jersey State Prison with a minimum of 42 months before parole eligibility pursuant to the Graves Act; on Second Degree Possession of a Handgun for an Unlawful Purpose it is 5-10 years New Jersey State Prison with 42 months of parole ineligibility pursuant to the Graves Act.
The sentencing exposure for Mariano Romero on Second Degree Unlawful Possession of a Handgun is 5-10 years New Jersey State Prison with a minimum of 42 months before parole eligibility pursuant to the Graves Act; on Hindering Third Degree it is 3-5 years New Jersey State Prison.
The State filed motions for pretrial detention for Dhey Alcantara, Jesus Santana, and Mariano Romero that will be heard by a Superior Court Judge. On April 17th, 2023, the Honorable Imre Karaszegi released Mariano Romero on conditions after a full hearing. Jose Santana’s detention hearing is scheduled for April 19, 2023 before the Honorable Scott Rumana. Dhey Alcantara’s detention hearing is scheduled for April 21, 2023 before the Honorable Marilyn Clark.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office asks anyone with additional information about this incident to contact us on our tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org or contact the Paterson Police Ceasefire Unit at 973-321-1342.