21-Year-Old Guatemalan Man Charged With The Aggravated Sexual Assault Of Preteen
Saturday, April 27, 2024, 8:52 A.M. ET. By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
ENGLEWOOD, NJ.- Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella reported, following an investigation on Thursday, a 21-year-old Guatemalan National currently being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement was formally charged in connection with the alleged aggravated sexual assault of a child last summer.
According to authorities, on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, the Englewood Police Department contacted the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office Special Victims Unit after Police Officers received a report regarding allegations of the sexual assault of a preteen that had occurred in the past.
An investigation into the allegations was launched. After Detectives of the Bergen County Special Victims Unit interviewed witnesses including the victim. Detectives determined that Melvin Zacarias-Esquivel, 21, of Englewood, New Jersey had sexually assaulted a child under the age of 13 in Englewood, New Jersey.
Accordingly, on Thursday, April 25, 2024, Zacarias-Esquivel was formally charged with first-degree Aggravated Sexual Assault; and third-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
Zacarias-Esquivel was served with the charges at the Elizabeth Immigration Detention Center where he is currently being detained on an unrelated matter. Following being released he will be transported to the Bergen County Jail pending future court proceedings in Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack, New Jersey.
"The rules of the court requires us to include a statement, that 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: APRIL 27, 2024: LAW, LOCAL, BERGEN: