Paterson Drug Dealer Charged In OD Death Of Westwood Victim, 38, Prosecutor Says

A 39-year-old Paterson man has been charged with providing the drugs that allegedly resulted in a fatal overdose of a Westwood man in May, authorities said.

Jesus A. Cantillo is believed to have provided the drugs that led to the death of 38-year-old Lance Kerness, of Westwood, who was found unresponsive in a home on May 2, 2024, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said on Friday, June 28.

Kerness was pronounced dead at the scene, Musella said. Indicators of a possible drug overdose were noted, and detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotic Task Force were notified, he said.

The investigation revealed that Cantillo distributed narcotics to the victim, and on Thursday, June 27, a search of Cantillo's home turned up fentanyl, cocaine, and marijuana, the prosecutor said.

As a result of the investigation, Cantillo was arrested in Paterson, NJ and charged with first-degree possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, second-degree possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, third-degree distribution of cocaine and third-degree possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, Musella said.

Cantillo was sent to the Bergen County Jail pending a first appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensack.

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.