By: Richard L. Smith
A Lodi man is facing an additional criminal charge following a months-long investigation into the fatal overdose of a local resident, authorities announced. 
According to Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella, 26-year-old Randy Lantigua has been charged with first-degree strict liability for drug-induced death in connection to the April 6, 2024, overdose of 62-year-old James White.
The investigation was conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and the Lodi Police Department.
On the day of the incident, Lodi police responded to a 911 call reporting an unresponsive male in a private residence.
When first responders arrived, they found White deceased in a bedroom, with signs of a potential drug overdose.
Detectives from the Narcotic Task Force were called in, leading to a probe into White’s death and the related drug activity.
Investigators determined that Lantigua had supplied narcotics to White, leading to his initial arrest on May 21, 2024, on multiple drug-related charges.
Further analysis later confirmed that the substance contained fentanyl and xylazine, a dangerous combination linked to fatal overdoses.
Following months of additional investigation, authorities determined that the fatal dose was directly supplied by Lantigua.
He was arrested again on February 26, 2025, and booked into the Bergen County Jail while awaiting a court appearance in Hackensack, NJ. 
If convicted, Lantigua faces significant legal consequences under New Jersey’s strict liability laws for drug-induced deaths.
The case remains under investigation as authorities continue efforts to combat the distribution of deadly narcotics.