Three Men Charged in Lodi Murder Investigation

the staff of the Ridgewod blog

Lodi NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrests of GIOVANNI FELICIANO (DOB: 9/11/1999; single; unemployed) of 133 Shaw Street, Garfield, NJ and JEFERSSON GONZALEZ (DOB: 1/15/2001; single; unemployed) of 153 Lewis Street, Paterson, NJ on murder, weapons and drug-related charges; and ELVIS DEJESUS (DOB: 9/10/1997; single; unemployed) of 75 22nd Avenue, Paterson, NJ on weapons and drug-related charges.

The arrests are the result of an investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Jason Love, the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Chris Drelich, the Paterson Police Department under the direction of Chief Ibrahim Baycora, and the Lodi Police Department under the direction of Chief Donald Scorzetti.

On Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at approximately 4:31 p.m., the Bergen County Public Safety Operations Center received multiple 9-1-1 calls regarding shots fired in the parking lot of 9 Victor Street, Lodi, NJ. At that time, Lodi Police Officers responded and located 26-year-old John Anthony DeLeon with a gunshot wound. He was transported to Hackensack University Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.

An investigation conducted by detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, the Lodi Police Department, the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Paterson Police Department was initiated and revealed that GIOVANNI FELICIANO and JEFERSSON GONZALEZ were responsible for the murder of John DeLeon. During the execution of search warrants at multiple residences, GIOVANNI FELICIANO, JEFERSSON GONZALEZ and ELVIS DEJESUS were found in possession of firearms and narcotics.

On Monday, June 13, 2022, GIOVANNI FELICIANO was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a(1); first-degree murder, N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a(2); first-degree conspiracy to commit murder, N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2a(1)/2C:11-3a(2); first-degree possession of a handgun while having a prior conviction, N.J.S.A. 2C:39-7b(1); first-degree possession with the intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, namely cocaine; N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1)/2C:35-5b(1); second-degree possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4a(1); second-degree possession of a firearm with the intent to distribute cocaine; N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4.1; second-degree possession with the intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, namely oxycodone, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1)/2C:35-5b(4); second-degree possession with the intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, namely marijuana, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1)/2C:35-5b(10); third-degree money laundering, N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25a; third-degree theft by knowingly receiving moveable property, N.J.S.A. 2C:20-7a; third-degree possession with the intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, namely Xanax, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1)/2C:35-5b(13); third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance, namely Xanax, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1); third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance, namely oxycodone; N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1); third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance, namely cocaine, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1); third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance, namely heroin, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1); fourth-degree possession of a large capacity magazine, N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3j;. and possession of drug paraphernalia, N.J.S.A. 2C:36-2, a disorderly persons offense. He was remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending his first appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensack, NJ.

On Monday, June 13, 2022, JEFERSSON GONZALEZ was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a(1); first-degree murder, N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3A(2); first-degree conspiracy to commit murder, N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2a(1)/2C:11-3a(2); two counts of second-degree possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4a(1); second-degree possession of a firearm with the intent to distribute marijuana, N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4.1; second-degree possession with the intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, namely marijuana, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1)/2C:35-5b(10); third-degree theft by knowingly receiving moveable property, N.J.S.A. 2C:20-7a; and fourth-degree possession of a large capacity magazine, N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3j. He was remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending his first appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensack, NJ.

On Monday, June 13, 2022, ELVIS DEJESUS was arrested and charged with second-degree possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4a(1); second-degree possession of a firearm with the intent to distribute marijuana, N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4.1; second-degree possession with the intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, namely marijuana, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1)/2C:35-5b(10); and fourth-degree possession of a large capacity magazine, N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3j. He was remanded to the Passaic County Jail pending his first appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensack, NJ.

Prosecutor Musella states that the charges are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and he would like to thank the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, the Paterson Police Department, and the Lodi Police Department for their assistance in this investigation.