Garfield New Jersey police arrested a Paterson man accused of engaging in illegal sexual activity with a minor.

According to Bergen County prosecutors, the 26-year-old suspect had sex with the 13-year-old victim on at least one occasion.

Authorities first became aware of the alleged sexual misconduct after the victim’s mother contacted Garfield police. The mother learned of the allegations when the victim told her about the sexual activity.

The Garfield Police Department notified the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, which sent detectives with the Special Victims Unit to interview the victim. During the interview, the victim reportedly detailed exactly what transpired with the suspect.

Garfield NJ police later arrested the suspect without incident.

The suspect has been charged with multiple sex offenses, including criminal sexual contact and endangering the welfare of a child.

If the suspect is ultimately convicted on the sex crime charges, he faces severe penalties. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:14-3, anyone who commits an act of sexual contact with an underage victim while using physical force or coercion can be charged with a fourth degree felony. A conviction for fourth degree criminal sexual contact can lead to a sentence of up to 18 months in NJ State Prison.

After being placed under arrest and charged, the suspect was taken to the Bergen County Jail in Hackensack, NJ. He is being held at the jail on a $150,000 bail amount.

For more information about this case, view the NJ.com article entitled “Paterson Man Engaged in Sexual Activity with 13-Year-Old, Prosecutor Says.”