Jeferson Marte-Peralta
On May 16th, 2025, at approximately 8:24 AM, members of the Guttenberg Police Department’s Patrol Division
were informed by a concerned individual that a male appeared to be asleep behind the wheel of his vehicle on
Hudson Avenue. Moments later, Police Officer Camille Calupad, Special Law Enforcement Officer Class II
Valerie Manzano, and Sergeant Emilio Barroso located the vehicle. Upon their arrival, they observed the
vehicle was angled into the roadway with the transmission in reverse and observed the driver asleep. After
waking the driver, officers also observed the male driver bleeding heavily from his finger. At this point, officers
requested the assistance of North Bergen’s Emergency Medical Services. Upon EMS arrival, the male was
asked to exit his vehicle so that the EMS personnel could provide him with care. During the medical
evaluation, Police Officer Calupad observed the grip/handle portion of a handgun, with a jacket wrapped
around it, in plain view on the front seat in the vehicle. The male did not possess a concealed carry permit or a
firearms identification card. The handgun recovered was confirmed to be a fully loaded Smith & Wesson M&P
22 Compact, chambered in 22 caliber bullets. While clearing the weapon and making it safe, officers also
discovered that the handgun magazine contained one (1) 22 caliber hollow point bullet and 8 lead round nose
bullets. At that time, officers arrested 33-year-old Jeferson Marte-Peralta of West New York, NJ, for unlawful
possession of a weapon [2C:29-5B(1)], possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose [2C:39-4A(1)], and
prohibited weapons and devices (hollow point ammunition) [2C:39-3F(1)].
During a subsequent search of Mr. Marte-Peralta’s person and his vehicle, officers found 44 grams of a
white powdery substance believed to be cocaine, 16 grams of a pink powdery substance believed to be cocaine
(commonly referred to as “Tusi” and/or “2C-B”), 89 Oxycodone prescription pills, 47 Alprazolam prescription
pills in varying colors and stamps, 1 Meloxicam prescription pill, 5 different cell phones, $3,791.70 of suspected
proceeds of narcotics distribution, and various drug paraphernalia. During his arrest processing, Mr. Marte-Peralta was also charged with three (3) counts of manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing a controlled
dangerous substance [2C:35-5A(1), 2C:35-5B(13), 2C:35-5B(13)], two (2) counts of distribution on or withing
1,000 feet of a school [2C:35-7A], possession of prescription legend drugs without a prescription [2C:35-
10.5A(1)], failure to make lawful disposition [2C:35-10C], and the possession of drug paraphernalia [2C:36-2A].
Upon the completion of his arrest processing, Mr. Marte-Peralta was issued numerous summonses for traffic
violations, issued his complaint warrant, and then lodged in the Hudson County Correctional Center.
Message from Chief Frank Pelaez: I am extremely proud of the dedication and vigilance my officers
displayed during this investigation. This defendant was found with a loaded firearm and large quantities of
narcotics so close to our public school as students were entering for the start of their school day. This incident is
a perfect example of the unknowns our officers are faced with on a regular basis and the thought of the violent
ways this incident could have unfolded is sobering. To our residents and community, rest assured that the
officers of the Guttenberg Police Department are consistently searching for these types of offenders and will do
whatever they can to remove such dangers from our community.
If anyone has any information pertaining to this incident, they are encouraged to contact the
Guttenberg Police Department at 201-868-3300 or email:
1. Lt. Steven Diaz sdiaz@guttenbergpolice.org
2. Det. Sgt. Marcin Rysiec mrysiec@guttenbergpolice.org
The charges above are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and
until, proven guilty in a court of law.
