Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said on Wednesday, October 20, members of the United States Marshals Service District of Puerto Rico Fugitive Task Force, in conjunction with the United States Marshals Service New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force, arrested a former Bayonne man on charges that he sexually assaulted a 12-year-old girl earlier this year while living in Hudson County.
According to Hudson County authorities, Mr. Steven A. Rodriguez, 21, formerly of Bayonne but who had moved to Aguada, Puerto Rico, has been charged with Sexual Assault by Contact in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2B, a crime of the second degree and Endangering the Welfare of a Child in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4A(1).
Police say the alleged assaults occurred while the victim, a family friend, was visiting the defendant’s Bayonne residence in February and March but were reported several months later.
Prosecutor Suarez credited the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims, the Bayonne Police Department and the United States Marshals Service with the investigation and arrest.
Anyone wishing to report a sex crime should call the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office Special Victims Unit (SVU) at 201-915-1234.
The above charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. R.P.C.3.6(b)(6).