Story by Ethan
On March 6th, 2025, the arrest of Robert Wichowski, age 31, and Xiomara Frias-Barbosa, age 28, were announced by Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella. Robert Wichowski and Xiomara Frias-Barbosa were charged with first-degree strict liability for drug-induced death, second-degree possession with the intent to distribute Fentanyl, third-degree possession with the intent to distribute Fentanyl within 1,000 feet of a school, third-degree distribution of Fentanyl within 1,000 feet of a school, third-degree distribution of Fentanyl, and fourth-degree possession of drug paraphernalia. The arrest and charges against Robert Wichowski and Xiomara Frias-Barbosa were a result of an investigation launched by Chief Matthew Finck of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, and Chief Michael Antista of the Hackensack Police Department.
According to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, at approximately 6:36 p.m. on November 2nd, 2024, a medical emergency at a private residence was reported. Officers from the Hackensack Police Department responded to a 54-year old male victim who was pronounced as dead at the scene. Authorities noted the possibility of a drug overdose, and detectives later determined that the victim ingested a substance which may have contained fentanyl. The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force was notified and a joint investigation revealed that the substance the victim ingested did contain a fatal dose of fentanyl. Detectives also alleged that Robert Wichowski and Xiomara Frias-Barbosa were the individuals responsible for dealing the victim the drugs ultimately causing his death. On March 5th, 2025, a search warrant was executed at the residence of Robert Wichowski and Xiomara Frias-Barbosa located in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey. The search revealed several hundred hidden bags of drug paraphernalia and suspected fentanyl. Robert Wichowski and Xiomara Frias-Barbosa were arrested at their residence and held in the Bergen County Jail until their first court appearance.
The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office stated that the charges against Robert Wichowski and Xiomara Frias-Barbosa are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
