On Friday, March 27, 2026, the Honorable Angelo Servidio sentenced a Secaucus man to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison for his role in connection with a 2024 fatal shooting that took place in North Bergen.
According to Hudson County Prosecutor Wayne Mello, 26-year old James Baker previously pled guilty to one count of aggravated manslaughter. The sentence is subject to the No Early Release Act. The State was represented in this matter by Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Kevin Roe.
Mello says that shortly after 9 a.m. on Monday, August 5, 2024, the North Bergen Police Department was notified of an injured male in the area of Meadowview Avenue and 61st Street. Responding officers located a male victim, who was later identified as 31-year old Juan Ortiz of North Bergen, with an apparent gunshot wound(s). He was transported to Palisades Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at approximately 9:40 a.m.