By: Richard L. Smith
In an operation led by the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office, a 24-year-old North Bergen man, Henry Sunun Sutuj, was arrested on severe charges related to the sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl.
The arrest, which took place on Friday at Sutuj's residence, involved collaborative efforts from local law enforcement and the U.S. Marshals Service.
The investigation was triggered after the West New York Police Department received reports on April 20 about the assault involving the juvenile.
Investigators discovered that Sutuj had met the victim in a North Bergen park and later lured her to a local motel under the pretense of monetary exchange for sexual acts on April 19.
Sutuj faces numerous charges, including human trafficking, promoting child prostitution, engaging in prostitution with a minor, endangering the welfare of a minor, sexual assault, and criminal sexual contact.
These allegations highlight the severity of the crimes, with most charges falling under first and second-degree felonies.
Prosecutor Esther Suarez has praised the combined efforts of the Special Victims Unit, West New York Police Department, North Bergen Police, and the U.S. Marshals Service for their role in the investigation and subsequent arrest.
The public is encouraged to report any similar crimes to the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office Special Victims Unit. Sutuj's charges are still accusations, and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.