Fentanyl Overdose In Bergen County Bedroom Leads To Charge For Alleged Dealer

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — A 26-year-old Lodi man was arrested last week as a result of an investigation of another man's drug overdose death, prosecutors said.

Randi Lantigua was arrested in Lodi last Thursday and charged with first-degree liability in the drug overdose death of a Bergen County man.

Back on April 6, 2024, around 4 p.m., the Lodi Police Department responded to a 911 call from a private home reporting an adult male who was unresponsive in the bedroom.

The man, James White, 62, of Lodi, was pronounced dead at the scene.

"It was subsequently determined that the victim ingested a fentanyl-laced substance," prosecutors said.

Last May 21, detectives searched Lantigua's home and charged him with possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, possession with the intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance within 500 feet of a park, possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, distribution of fentanyl, and possession with the intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance within 1,000 feet of a school zone.

The investigation into White's death continued.

Lantigua was charged with the new first-degree offense last week following the months-long investigation.

Prosecutors said that they determined that the drug White ingested contained both fentanyl and Xylazine, and that Lantigua "distributed the fatal dose to the victim causing his death."

Lantigua was brought to the Bergen County Correctional Facility to await a first appearance in Superior Court, prosecutors said.

The victim's obituary said he was a beloved father, son, and uncle, and was known for his drawing and painting talent.