Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of 39-year-old JESUS A. CANTILLO of Paterson, NJ on charges of possession with the intent to distribute narcotics and drug distribution. The arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck and the Westwood Police Department under the direction of Chief Michael Pontillo.
On Thursday, May 2, 2024, at approximately 4:38 p.m., the Westwood Police Department responded to a 911 call reporting an adult male who was unconscious and unresponsive in a private residence. The victim, identified as 38-year-old Lance Kerness of Westwood, NJ, was located by first responders and pronounced deceased at the scene. Indicators of a possible drug overdose were noted, and detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotic Task Force were notified.
An investigation was initiated by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and Westwood Police Department into the death of Lance Kerness and the related drug activity. The investigation revealed that JESUS A. CANTILLO of Paterson, NJ distributed narcotics to the victim. On Thursday, June 27, 2024, a search warrant was executed at the residence of JESUS A. CANTILLO in Paterson, NJ by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotic Task Force and the Westwood Police Department. During the course of the search warrant, Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office detectives recovered various narcotics evidence, including suspected fentanyl, cocaine, and marijuana.
As a result of the investigation, on Thursday, June 27, 2024, JESUS A. CANTILLO was arrested in Paterson, NJ and charged with first-degree possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(1); second-degree possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(4); third-degree distribution of Cocaine 2C:35-5b(3); and third-degree possession with the intent to distribute marijuana 2C:35-5b(11). CANTILLO was remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending a first appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensack, NJ. The investigation into the fatal dose of narcotics ingested by the victim remains ongoing and additional charges are possible.
Prosecutor Musella states that the charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Prosecutor Musella thanks the Westwood Police Department for its assistance in this investigation.