Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of RAEQUANN REID, 29, of Paterson, NJ for strict liability in a drug-induced death and drug distribution-related charges. 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 Rochelle Park Police Department under the direction of Chief Dean Pinto.
On Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at approximately 9:47 a.m., the Rochelle Park Police Department responded to a 9-1-1 call reporting an unconscious and unresponsive male in a private residence on Rochelle Avenue in Rochelle Park, NJ. The victim was ultimately pronounced deceased by paramedics and identified as 37-year-old James A. Mara of Rochelle Park, NJ. 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 the Rochelle Park Police Department into the death of James A. Mara and the related drug activity. Detectives determined that the victim had recently ingested suspected fentanyl, and the investigation revealed that RAEQUANN REID distributed the fatal dose of narcotics to the victim causing his death.
As a result of the investigation, on Thursday, July 25, 2024, detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotic Task Force and the Rochelle Park Police Department executed a search warrant at the residence of RAEQUANN REID in Paterson, NJ. REID was arrested and charged with first-degree strict liability in a drug induced death, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-9; and five counts of third-degree distribution of fentanyl, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5(b)5. REID was remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending a first appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensack, NJ.
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 Rochelle Park Police Department for its assistance in this investigation, as well as the Garfield Police Department and Elmwood Park Police Department, which both participate in the Bergen County Narcotic Task Force.