Police arrested a Moonachie New Jersey man who allegedly sexually abused an underage girl.
According to Bergen County prosecutors, the 21-year-old suspect sexually assaulted the 9-year-old victim in Moonachie, NJ.
The victim’s mother became aware the alleged sexual misconduct when the victim told her about the sexual assault. The mother then contacted the Moonachie Police Department, which in turn notified the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office
Detectives with the Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit then investigated the allegations and interviewed the victim. During the interview, the victim reportedly told investigators that she was an acquaintance of the suspect. She also gave detectives a detailed description of the sexual misconduct.
Once investigators had enough information, an arrest warrant was issued. Moonachie police subsequently arrested the suspect.
The suspect was charged with multiple sex offenses, including aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, and endangering the welfare of a child.
If the suspect is ultimately convicted on the aggravated sexual assault charges, he faces significant penalties. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2, anyone who sexually penetrates a victim under the age of 13 can be charged with a first degree criminal offense. A conviction for first degree aggravated sexual assault could lead to a sentence of 10-20 years in NJ State Prison.
After being arrested and charged, the suspect was taken to the Bergen County Jail in Hackensack, New Jersey. He is being held at the jail in lieu of $300,000 bail.
For additional information about this case, view the NJ.com article entitled “Man Charged with Sex Assault of 9-Year-Old Girl.”