39-Year-Old Paterson Man Charged On Thursday With Drug Offenses For The May 2024 Westwood Overdose Death
Saturday, June 29, 2024, 6:15 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
WESTWOOD, NJ.- On Thursday, June 27, 2024, a 39-year-old Paterson, New Jersey man was taken into custody and jailed after being charged with multiple narcotics offenses in connection with the fatal overdose of a 38-year-old Westwood, New Jersey man that occurred early last month.
According to Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella, on Thursday, May 2, 2024, shortly after 4:30 p.m., members of the Westwood Police Department and Emergency Medical Service Personnel responded to a 911 Emergency Call reporting an unconscious and unresponsive man at a residence in Westwood.
Upon arrival, Police Officers found a man, later identified as Lance Kerness, 38, of Westwood, New Jersey, and despite life-saving efforts, Mr. Kerness was pronounced deceased in the residence. Police Officers found evidence of possible drug use and notified the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force.
During an ensuing investigation by Detectives of the Bergen County Narcotics Task Force and the Westwood Police Department, Detectives were able to determine that Jesus A. Cantillo, 39, of Paterson, New Jersey, sold the narcotics to Mr. Kerness that ultimately caused his death.
On Thursday, June 27, 2024, members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force and the Westwood Police Department executed a court-authorized search warrant at the Paterson home of Mr. Cantillo. During the search Detectives found narcotics, including fentanyl, cocaine, and marijuana.
Accordingly, Cantillo was taken into custody in Paterson, New Jersey, and formally charged with first-degree Possession With the Intent to Distribute Cocaine; second-degree Possession With the Intent to Distribute Fentanyl; and third-degree Possession With the Intent to Distribute Marijuana.
Cantillo was processed on the charges and was remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending future court proceedings in Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack, New Jersey. The investigation into the fatal overdose of narcotics taken by Mr. Kerness remains active and ongoing, and additional charges are possible.
“The rules of the court requires us to include a statement, that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations and the defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”
