Press Release

Press Releases << ENGLEWOOD, NJ MAN CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ASSAULT AND ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF A CHILD

For Immediate Release:
April 26, 2024

Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of 21-year-old MELVIN ZACARIAS-ESQUIVEL of Englewood, NJ on charges of aggravated sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child. The arrest was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck and the Englewood Police Department under the direction of Chief Thomas Greeley.

On Tuesday, April 23, 2024, the Englewood Police Department contacted the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit regarding the alleged sexual assault of a juvenile that occurred in the past. An investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and the Englewood Police Department revealed that MELVIN ZACARIAS-ESQUIVEL sexually assaulted a juvenile under the age of 13 in Englewood, NJ.

As a result of the investigation, on Thursday, April 25, 2024, MELVIN ZACARIAS-ESQUIVEL was charged with first-degree aggravated sexual assault, N.J.S.A 2C:14-2a(1); and third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, N.J.S.A. 2C:14-4a. ZACARIAS-ESQUIVEL was served with a complaint-warrant at the Elizabeth Detention Center where he is currently being detained on an unrelated matter.

Prosecutor Musella states that the charges are merely accusations, and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. He would like to thank the Englewood Police Department for its assistance in this investigation.