FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Raymond Worrall
PHONE: (201) 795-6400 Ext. 6737
EMAIL: rworrall@hcpo.org
TWITTER: @HCPOProsecutor
WEB: hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org
DATE: Thursday, April 26, 2018
SUSPECT WANTED IN SEXUAL ASSAULT ARRESTED IN CLIFTON
Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has released the following information:
On April 19, 2018, at approximately 9:35 p.m., members of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Special Victims Unit arrested Mohammed Zeidan, age 49, of Clifton, who was wanted in connection with allegations of Sexual Assault and Criminal Sexual Contact involving a 13-year-old female from Jersey City. Zeidan was arrested following a brief investigation into allegations made by members of the juvenile’s family to the Jersey City Police Department on April 13, 2018.
The defendant has been charged with Sexual Assault in violation of N.J.S. 2C:14-2, a second-degree crime; Luring or Enticing in violation of N.J.S. 2C:13-7, a third-degree crime; Endangering the Welfare of a Child in violation of N.J.S. 2C:24-4, a third-degree crime; Criminal Sexual Contact in violation of N.J.S. 2C:14-3, a fourth-degree crime; and Refusal to Allow a Biological Sample to be Drawn in violation of N.J.S. 2C:29-11, a fourth-degree crime.
The charges involve acts that allegedly occurred in Jersey City and Clifton. Zeidan and the 13-year-old female began communicating through the internet before meeting in person.
Zeidan was transported to the Hudson County Correctional Facility in Kearny following his arrest and made his first appearance in Criminal Justice Reform Court on April 20, 2018.
Prosecutor Suarez credited members of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s SVU for the investigation and arrest and the Jersey City Police Department for their assistance in the investigation.
The above charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. R.P.C.3.6(b)(6).