Police Arrest Man Who Allegedly Sexually Assaulted Minors at Hackensack YMCA Pool

A Hackensack man has been arrested and charged with sexual assault for allegedly committing sex crimes against several minors at the local YMCA. The suspect in the sex offense case is Timothy Smith, a 42-year-old man who lives in Hackensack and works at a ShopRite grocery store deli in Paramus. According to Bergen County prosecutors, Smith touched at least six children on their private parts at an indoor pool at the YMCA of Greater Bergen County in Hackensack, New Jersey. A parent of one of the victims dialed 911 to alert to the Hackensack Police Department to the alleged sex crimes. The caller told Hackensack detectives that Smith touched the victims while they were participating in a public swimming program on February 16, 2018.

Hackensack police officers investigated Smith and eventually determined that enough evidence existed to place him under arrest. Authorities interviewed the six child victims, as well as several witnesses at the YMCA swim program. After Smith was arrested, Richard Gorab, president and CEO of the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges, issued a statement about the incidents. Gorab said that the YMCA has suspended Smith’s membership and that he will no longer have access to any of the public programs.

Severe Penalties for Sexual Assault of a Minor in Hackensack, NJ

Smith has been charged with a number of criminal offenses, including multiple counts of sexual assault and multiple counts of endangering the welfare of a child. All of the victims in the case are between the ages of six and nine. Although Smith has not been accused of raping any of the juvenile victims, he still faces sexual assault charges because all of the victims are under the age of 13. In New Jersey, a charge of criminal sexual contact can be upgraded to a charge of sexual assault when the victim is particularly young.

If Smith is ultimately convicted of the most serious sex crime charges at trial in Bergen County Superior Court, he would be subject to harsh penalties that include a lengthy term of incarceration in NJ State Prison. That’s because all of the charges against him have been classified as felonies. Additionally, Smith would likely have to register as a convicted sex offender under Megan’s Law if convicted.

Free Consultation with an Aggressive Hackensack Sexual Assault Lawyer

If you’ve been charged with sexual assault, criminal sexual contact, child endangerment, or any other sex crime in Hackensack, NJ, you need a qualified criminal attorney on your side and helping you to fight the charges. The legal team at the Tormey Law Firm has experience defending clients against serious sexual offense charges throughout Bergen County. Contact us now to schedule a free initial consultation about your case.