PASSAIC MAN INDICTED ON MULTIPLE CHARGES OF SEXUAL ASSAULT ON A CHILD AND CONSPIRING WITH A GARFIELD WOMAN TO BRIBE WITNESS
" A Passaic County Grand Jury Returns Indictment Against Sergio Bernal & Maricella Gonzalez On Charges In Connection To The Sexual Assault Against A Child From 2013 To 2020."
October 29, 2021 By Art Fletcher Reporting For: Englebrook Independent News,
PATERSON, NJ.- On Wednesday, October 27, 2021 Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes announced a Grand Jury sitting in Passaic County, New Jersey has returned an Indictment against Sergio Bernal, 33, of Passaic, New Jersey, and Maricella Gonzalez, 52, of Garfield, New Jersey.
Mr. Bernal has been Indicted on Multiple Counts of Sexual Offenses against a Child, Hindering Apprehension, Terroristic Threats, Witness Tampering, Conspiracy to Commit Witness Tampering, Bribery, Conspiracy to Commit Bribery, Tampering with Physical Evidence, and Contempt.
Ms. Gonzalez has been Indicted on Witness Tampering, Conspiracy to Commit Witness Tampering, Bribery, Conspiracy to Commit Bribery, and Tampering with Physical Evidence.
The Grand Jury returned the Indictment, Charging Mr. Bernal with various Sexual Offenses against a Child that took place at multiple residences in Passaic, New Jersey, from October 2013 to August 2020. Mr. Bernal was indicted on Three Counts of First Degree Aggravated Sexual Assault; an additional Three counts of First Degree Aggravated Sexual Assault; Three Counts of Second Degree Sexual Assault; an additional Three Counts of Second Degree Sexual Assault; Seven Counts of Second Degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child; One Count of Third Degree Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact; One Count of Fourth Degree Criminal Sexual Contact; One Count of Second Degree Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution; and One Count of Third Degree Terroristic Threats.
The Indictment also Charges Mr. Bernal with various offenses related to a conspiracy arising out of the City of Paterson to Tamper with and Bribe Witnesses, and also contacting those same witnesses in Violation of a No-Contact Order issued against him by a Passaic County Judge.
Mr. Bernal was Indicted on Two Counts of Third Degree Witness Tampering; Two Counts of Third Degree Conspiracy to Commit Witness Tampering; Two Counts of Second Degree Bribery of a Witness; Two Counts of Second Degree Conspiracy to Commit Bribery of a Witness; Three Counts of Fourth Degree Contempt; and One Count of Fourth Degree Tampering with Physical Evidence.
The Indictment also Charges Ms. Gonzalez with conspiring with Mr. Bernal to tamper with and bribe witnesses. Ms. Gonzalez was indicted on Two Counts of Third Degree Witness Tampering; Two Counts of Third Degree Conspiracy to Commit Witness Tampering; Two Counts of Second Degree Bribery of a Witness; Two Counts of Second Degree Conspiracy to Commit Bribery of a Witness; and One Count of Fourth Degree Tampering with Physical Evidence.
After Mr. Bernal was Arrested for and Charged with various Sexual Offenses against a Child that took place at multiple residences in Passaic from October 2013 to August 2020, Mr. Bernal and Ms. Gonzalez Conspired to Tamper with and Bribe the Child Victim and another witness in connection to the prosecution against Mr. Bernal. Specifically, Mr. Bernal and Ms. Gonzalez offered a sum of United States currency and financial assistance with tuition and a car to the Child Victim and another witness in exchange for recanting their statements to law enforcement regarding the Sexual Assault Charges pending against Mr. Bernal.
Mr. Bernal and Ms. Gonzalez are detained in The Passaic County Jail since there Arrest, and will remain detained pending the resolution of the Charges pending against the two.
" The Rules Of The Court Require Us To Include A Statement, Which States: The Charges Outlined In This Publication Are Merely Accusations And The Defendant And Or Defendants Are Presumed Innocent Unless And Until Proven Guilty Beyond Reasonable Doubt."
FILED UNDER OCTOBER 29, 2021: LAW, PASSAIC: