A Woodcliff Lake man is facing an aggravated sexual assault charge. The Woodcliff Lake man is alleged to have had sexual relations with a minor in his home. Marcelo Velez, who is fifty-six years old, is alleged to have had a child that was younger than thirteen according to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office. In addition to the aggravated sexual assault charge, Velez also faces two counts of sexual assault (victim younger than thirteen and defendant four years older), and endangering the welfare of a child by a caretaker. Velez also serves as a Columbia University’s vice president for Manhattanville Development. Columbia University has place Velez on administrative leave.

Hackensack Rape Lawyer

An aggravated sexual assault charge (rape on a minor), such as the one above, is probably the second most serious charge a defendant can face. It can, however, be argued that it is the most serious charge a defendant can face. It is codified as N.J.S.A. 2C: 14-2. The penalties for aggravated sexual assault include a minimum of twenty-five years in prison to a maximum of life imprisonment. In addition to this, a conviction of aggravated sexual assault will require a defendant to be on parole supervision for life, and register as a sex offender pursuant to Megan’s Law.

A second degree sexual assault charge carries a a maximum of ten years in a New Jersey state prison, and up to a $150,000 fine if convicted. Moreover, if a defendant is convicted of sexual assault, then at least eighty-five percent (85%) of their sentence must be served before they become eligible for parole. Lastly, a sexual assault conviction also carries the defendant to be on parole supervision for life and register as a sex offender pursuant to Megan’s Law.

A second degree endangering the welfare of a child, the same charge the defendant faces above, also has a maximum of ten years in a New Jersey state prison and up to a $150,000 fine. Like a sexual assault charge, an endangering the welfare of a child charge will require a defendant to be on parole supervision for life as well as register as a sex offender pursuant to Megan’s Law.

Bergen County Aggravated Sexual Assault Attorneys

At the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, our office has the following credentials, knowledge, experience, and man-power to help you or your loved one:

  • Eleven (11) criminal defense attorneys on staff
    • Combined together, over 200 years of experience
  • Eight (8) former prosecutors on staff
    • Four (4) were former county prosecutors who’ve all tried high-profiled murders before a jury during their tenure as prosecutors
  • Multiple attorneys selected to either the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 or Top 40 Under 40
  • Two (2) attorneys selected to Thomson Reuters’ Super Lawyers Rising Stars list for criminal defense
    • Only 2.5% of attorneys in New Jersey are selected to said list
  • One (1) attorney certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Criminal Trial Attorney
    • Less than 1% of attorneys hold this distinction in New Jersey

Please give our office a call at 201-201-0086.