Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of VASHAWN A. DAVIS, 28, of Paterson, NJ for strict liability in a drug-induced death and drug distribution-related charges. The arrest is the result of a year-long investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck and the Oradell Police Department under the direction of Chief William Wicker.
On Sunday, July 23, 2023, at approximately 3:30 p.m., the Oradell Police Department responded to a 9-1-1 call reporting an unconscious and unresponsive adult male in a private residence. The victim was ultimately pronounced deceased and identified as 26-year-old Tyler Kallensee of Oradell, 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 Oradell Police Department into the death of Tyler Kallensee and the related drug activity. Following months of investigation, detectives determined that the victim ingested suspected fentanyl, and it was revealed that VASHAWN A. DAVIS distributed the fatal dose of narcotics to the victim causing his death.
As a result of the investigation, on Monday, July 29, 2024, VASHAWN A. DAVIS was charged with first-degree strict liability in a drug induced death, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-9; and third-degree distribution of fentanyl, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5(b)5. Detectives also determined that DAVIS was already in custody at the Bergen County Jail for an unrelated criminal matter. On Tuesday, July 30, 2024, detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotic Task Force served DAVIS with the charges related to this case, and he remains held in the Bergen County Jail pending court proceedings.
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 Oradell Police Department for its assistance in this investigation, as well as the Garfield Police Department and the Elmwood Park Police Department, which both participate in the Bergen County Narcotic Task Force.