Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes announces the arrest of Gary Powell, 62-years-old, of Paterson.
According to authorities, Wednesday, after an investigation conducted by the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office - Special Victims Unit, Powell was arrested and he has been charged with one count of fourth degree child abuse and neglect and one count of the disorderly persons offense of simple assault for allegedly striking a teenage male student at Eastside High School while working as a security guard at the school on March 31, 2017.
Powell was released today on complaint-summonses issued by the court. The complaint-summonses have been forwarded to the Passaic County Superior Court for a Pre-Indictment Conference to be held on June 2, 2017.
Fourth degree child abuse and neglect carries a maximum term of eighteen months in New Jersey State Prison and simple assault carries a maximum term of six months in the Passaic County Jail.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.