By: Jeff Sommes
Morris County authorities announced the arrest of a Lake Hopatcong man accused of sexually assaulting a minor multiple times and later attempting to interfere with the investigation.
According to a statement released by Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, 59-year-old Sivaldo A. Gonzalez Vasquez was arrested after Jefferson Township Police notified the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office of a potential sex crime involving a minor on September 11.
Authorities allege Vasquez committed multiple sexual acts against the minor on several occasions between May 4 and September 5, 2026, in Jefferson Township.
Investigators further allege that Vasquez attempted to interfere with the investigation by instructing a witness and the victim not to speak with law enforcement.
Vasquez was charged with three counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, three counts of second-degree sexual assault, one count of second-degree endangering, and two counts of third-degree witness tampering.
He is being held at the Morris County Correctional Facility pending future court proceedings and is scheduled to appear before Judge Robert Hanna on October 19.
The investigation involved the Jefferson Township Police Department and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit.
Anyone with information related to the investigation is asked to contact the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit at 973-285-6200.