20 Years For Secaucus Man In Fatal North Bergen Shooting

SECAUCUS, NJ — A Secaucus man will serve 20 years in state prison for his role in a 2024 fatal shooting in North Bergen, announced Hudson County Prosecutor Wayne Mello.

James Baker, 26, of Secaucus, previously pled guilty to aggravated manslaughter for the death of Juan Ortiz, 31, of North Bergen.

Shortly after 9 a.m. on Monday, August 5, 2024, the North Bergen Police Department was notified of an injured man in the area of Meadowview Avenue and 61st Street.

Responding officers located the victim, later identified as Ortiz, of North Bergen, with apparent gunshot wound(s). He was transported to Palisades Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at approximately 9:40 a.m.

The sentence is subject to the No Early Release Act, so Baker must serve the full 20 years.

Baker was arrested in 2020 for an armed robbery in the backyard of a Secaucus home: Armed Robbery In Backyard Of Secaucus Home On Third Street