$250,000, was the bail amount that was set by Judge Donald Venezia for a former Bergen County, New Jersey resident who has been accused of sexually assaulting a juvenile female between three and four years ago. This alleged abuse occurred while the accused was an Upper Saddle River resident. The defendant is a 70-year-old man, who has recently been extradited to New Jersey, following his arrest by the Sheriff’s office in Gainesville Florida.
A recently released press release, stated that the suspect, and his victim both lived in Florida at the time of the arrest. In addition to setting a $250,000 bail, the judge also ordered that the defendant have absolutely no contact with the alleged victim. Once the defendant was extradited from Florida, he was sent to the Bergen County jail, where he awaits arraignment. His arraignment is scheduled for January 8, 2013, at this point the Judge will formally tell the defendant what charges he is facing and the applicable penalties of those charges.
It is assumed that the Bergen County Prosecutors Office will be charging the defendant with counts of aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, and endangering the welfare of a child. These are first-degree and second-degree charges. If convicted, the defendant could be facing up to twenty years in a New Jersey State Prison on each first degree offense and up to ten years on every second degree offense. In addition, it is also possible that he might be required to be registered as a sex offender in New Jersey under what is known as Megan’s Law. The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall has been defending individuals charged with all types of criminal offense throughout Bergen County for over fifteen years. If you or someone you know has been charged with a criminal offense we can help. Please contact any one of our Bergen County Offices if you have any further information.