NEWARK – A 42-year-old man was arrested and charged with causing the overdose death of a beloved Newark fire captain six months ago.
Eliasel Baez, of Kearny, has been charged with strict liability drug-induced death for distributing a dangerous controlled substance that caused the January death of Carlos Rivera, 49, of Sayreville.
Rivera was found unresponsive inside the Engine 15 Ladder 7 fire station at 269 Park Avenue alongside a retired firefighter who was also unconscious, officials said.
Newark Fire Captain Carlos Rivera (Carlos Rivera’s Facebook page)
Rivera was pronounced dead at a local hospital. The other man, whose identity has not been revealed, was released shortly afterwards.
Baez was also charged with distributing cocaine and distributing drugs within 1,000 feet of a school.
“Essex County leads the state in drug overdoses. Given these numbers, it is important that we fully investigate these cases and charge the homicide perpetrators with strict liability where appropriate,” Essex County Acting District Attorney Theodore Stephens said in a statement. “The facts and circumstances of this case justified these charges.”
Anyone with information regarding the case has been asked to contact the Essex County District Attorney’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432 .
Erin Vogt is a reporter and anchor for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach her at erin.vogt@townsquaremedia.com
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