Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of 35-year-old TERRY REDFERN of Paterson, NJ, for strict liability in a drug-induced death and drug offenses. This arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck, and the Elmwood Park Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael Foligno.
On Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at approximately 11:04 a.m., the Elmwood Park Police Department responded to a medical emergency at a motel on Route 46 in Elmwood Park, NJ. Responding officers located an unresponsive 42-year-old male from Bergen County, NJ who was discovered lifeless by motel management. The victim was 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.
A joint investigation was initiated by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and the Elmwood Park Police Department into the death of the victim and the related drug activity. Following months of investigation, detectives determined that the controlled dangerous substance ingested by the victim contained Fentanyl, and TERRY REDFERN distributed the fatal dose of narcotics to the victim causing his death.
On Tuesday, March 4, 2025, with the assistance of the Port Authority Police Department and the New Jersey State Police, detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotic Task Force located and arrested TERRY REDFERN in Paterson, NJ. REDFERN was taken into custody and charged with first-degree strict liability for drug-induced death, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-9; and two counts of third-degree distribution of Fentanyl, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(5). REDFERN was remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending a first appearance in Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack, NJ.
Prosecutor Musella states that the charges in this matter are merely accusations, and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Prosecutor Musella thanks the Elmwood Park Police Department, the New Jersey State Police, and the Port Authority Police Department for their assistance in this investigation, as well as the Garfield Police Department, which participates in the Bergen County Narcotic Task Force.
