Story by Ethan
On February 28th, 2025, the arrest of Yasen R. Delgado, Delaresse Delgado, and Ahjainay N. Gawthney, ages 26, 27, and 31, were announced by Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella. Yasen R. Delgado was charged with first-degree maintaining a premise for the manufacture of CDS, two counts of second-degree theft by deception, ten counts of second-degree theft by extortion, second-degree possession with intent to distribute CDS within a public housing facility, second-degree possession of a firearm by a certain persons, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, eight counts of third-degree theft by deception, third-degree money laundering, third-degree possession of CDS, third-degree distribution of CDS, fourth-degree forgery, fourth-degree impersonating a law enforcement officer, fourth-degree possession of a prescription legend drug, fourth-degree possession of a large capacity ammunition magazine, fourth-degree possession of armor penetrating ammunition, and possession of drug paraphernalia, a disorderly persons offense. Ahjainay N. Gawthney was charged with nine counts of second-degree conspiracy to commit theft by extortion, second-degree theft by extortion, second-degree conspiracy to commit theft by deception, second-degree theft by deception, eight counts of third-degree conspiracy to commit theft by deception, and third-degree money laundering. Delaresse Delgado was charged with second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, and fourth-degree prohibited weapons and devices. The arrest and charges against Yasen R. Delgado, Delaresse Delgado, and Ahjainay N. Gawthney were a result of an investigation launched by Chief Matthew Finck of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, and Sheriff Anthony Cureton with Chief Carmelo Giustra of the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office.
According to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, during January 2025, their Intelligence and Counterterrorism Unit was tracing back numerous incidents of scam calls with a modified caller ID. These calls depicted an unknown individual who claimed to be either an officer of the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office or a “Bail Bondsman” representing the county court, usually explaining that the recipient of the call had a warrant out for their arrest, missing court proceedings, or ignorance of jury duty. The unknown caller would then arrange to meet up with the victims in person to avoid incarceration, while also demanding large sums of money with the threat of being arrested or detained unless the money was handed over. Authorities immediately detected and flagged these calls as scam, as law enforcement cannot demand payment over a phone call and threaten arrest if not obeyed. This scheme was alleged to have scammed nine unique victims, the suspect racking up a total of approximately $190,000.00 stolen. A joint investigation was launched that uncovered Yasen R. Delgado and Ahjainay N. Gawthney as the individuals allegedly responsible for the scam calls and cash collection. On February 27th, 2025, two search warrants were executed at the residences of Yasen R. Delgado and Ahjainay N. Gawthney by members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, Bergen County SWAT Team, and several local police departments. The searches uncovered suspected fentanyl, prescription legend drugs, drug packaging materials, stamps used for heroin packaging, cutting agents, empty glassine bags, electronic scales, drug paraphernalia, cash proceeds, an unregistered loaded handgun with hollow-point ammunition belonging to Yasen R. Delgado, and a loaded illegal assault rifle belonging to Delaresse Delgado.
The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office stated that the charges against Yasen R. Delgado, Delaresse Delgado, and Ahjainay N. Gawthney are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
