Florida Man Accused of Sexually Assaulting 9-Year-Old Girl in Englewood, NJ
A Florida man was recently charged with aggravated sexual assault for allegedly sexually abusing a 9-year-old girl in Englewood, New Jersey.
The 61-year-old suspect, who lives in Lakeland FL, is accused of engaging in sexual activity with the victim “on numerous occasions.” According to prosecutors, the victim was between the ages of 9 and 11 when the sexual abuse occurred.
The alleged illegal sexual conduct was discovered when the victim’s father saw online communications between the suspect and the victim. He believed that something improper was going on between the two, so he contacted the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office.
The prosecutor’s office then launched a formal investigation. The joint investigation included the Englewood Police Department.
Englewood detectives interviewed the victim, who is now 15 years old. During the interview, she allegedly provided specific details of her sexual encounters with the suspect.
Once law enforcement had enough evidence to file criminal charges against the suspect, they needed to locate him because he was no longer living in Englewood, NJ. Police eventually found him in Florida. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office in Florida assisted with the arrest.
The suspect is currently being held in police custody in Florida. He will be extradited to New Jersey so that he can face criminal charges for the alleged sexual abuse.
The suspect has been charged with aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, and child endangerment.
If the suspect is convicted on the aggravated sexual assault charges, he will be subject to significant penalties. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2a, an adult who sexually penetrates a victim under the age of 13 can be charged with a first degree felony and potentially be sentenced to 10–20 years in NJ State Prison.
For more information about this case, view the NJ.com article entitled “Florida Man Arrested on Bergen Sex Assault Charges, Prosecutor Says.”