By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Bergen County announced the arrest of 30-year-old Dushawn Kearny-Hillard, of Wallington, on charges of possession with the intent to distribute narcotics, drug distribution, and possession of a weapon, as well as previous charges for which Kearny-Hillard was wanted as a fugitive.
Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said 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 Wallington Police Department under the direction of Officer-in-Charge Captain Eric Kluska.
In June 2024, officials say, the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office Narcotic Task Force received information about suspected narcotics distribution at a private residence in Wallington, NJ.
The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotic Task Force and the Wallington Police Department initiated a weeks-long investigation into the suspected narcotics activity, officials said.
According to officials, on Tuesday, July 2, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force and the Wallington Police Department executed a search warrant at Dushawn Kearny-Hillard's residence in Wallington.
During the course of the search warrant, officials say, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office detectives recovered various narcotics evidence and a firearm.
As a result of the investigation, officials stated that on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, Dushawn Kearny-Hillard was arrested without incident in Wallington and charged with second-degree possession of a firearm, third-degree possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, and third-degree distribution of Oxycodone.
Additionally, detectives determined that Dushawn Kearny-Hillard was wanted as a fugitive for an outstanding arrest warrant stemming from an incident that occurred at a business on Main Avenue in Wallington on March 23, 2024, officials said.
Authorities say in that case, the Wallington Police Department charged Kearny-Hillard on March 26, 2024, with third-degree possession of a weapon, third-degree terroristic threats, and third-degree aggravated assault.
Subsequent to this arrest and the charges filed in both criminal cases, officials said Dushawn Kearny-Hillard was remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending a first appearance in Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack.