New Jersey man charged with drug, weapons offenses

Bergen County

By: Najla Alexander

Bergen County authorities announced the arrest of Dushawn Kearny-Hillard, 30, of Wallington, on charges of possession with 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 was the result of an investigation 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 Capt. Eric Kluska.

In June 2024, authorities said, the Bergen County District Attorney's Office Narcotics Task Force received information about an alleged narcotics distribution at a private residence in Wallington, New Jersey.

The Bergen County Prosecutor's Office Narcotics Task Force and the Wallington Police Department launched a weeks-long investigation into the alleged narcotics activity, officials said.

According to authorities, on Tuesday, July 2, the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office Narcotics Unit and the Wallington Police Department executed a search warrant at the Wallington home of Dushawn Kearny-Hillard.

During the search warrant, authorities say detectives from the Bergen County District Attorney's Office recovered various narcotics evidence and a firearm.

Following the investigation, authorities said 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 of a firearm with intent to distribute cocaine and third-degree distribution of oxycodone.Additionally, detectives determined that Dushawn Kearny-Hillard was wanted as a fugitive on an outstanding arrest warrant stemming from an incident at a Main Avenue business in Wallington on March 23, 2024, authorities 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.

Following the arrest and the charges in both criminal cases, authorities said Dushawn Kearny-Hillard was remanded in custody at the Bergen County Jail pending an initial appearance in Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack.