HACKENSACK, N.J. — Three Paterson residents have been arrested in connection with an organized theft scheme that defrauded victims of approximately $190,000, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced Friday.
Yasen R. Delgado, 26, Ahjainay N. Gawthney, 27, and Delareese Delgado, 31, were taken into custody following a weeks-long investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies. The trio is accused of orchestrating a scam in which callers impersonated law enforcement officials and bail bondsmen, threatening victims with arrest unless they handed over large sums of money.
Authorities launched the investigation in January 2025 after receiving reports of fraudulent calls where victims were told they had outstanding warrants for missing court proceedings or jury duty. Victims were instructed to meet in person with a supposed official and provide cash payments to avoid arrest.
Detectives identified the suspects through cybercrime tracing and surveillance of a vehicle used to transport them to and from the fraudulent meetings. On February 27, law enforcement executed search warrants at two Paterson residences linked to the suspects, where they discovered illegal narcotics, drug paraphernalia, cash proceeds, and weapons. Authorities recovered a loaded, unregistered handgun with hollow-point ammunition belonging to Yasen Delgado, as well as an illegal assault rifle belonging to Delareese Delgado.
All three suspects were charged with multiple offenses, including theft by deception, extortion, money laundering, drug possession, and weapons violations. They remain in the custody of the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office pending their first court appearances in Bergen County Superior Court.
Authorities credited the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, Paterson Police Department, and numerous local and federal law enforcement agencies for their role in the investigation.
