FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Caitlin Mota
PHONE: (201) 577-6699
EMAIL: cmota@hcpo.org
DATE: Thursday, March 14, 2024

18-YEAR-OLD CHARGED WITH SEX CRIMES ON JUVENILE FEMALE

Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has released the following information:

On Wednesday, March 13, 2024, members of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit arrested Angel Aparicio De La Cruz, 18, of Kearny, for sex crimes involving a 13-year-old female juvenile. The crimes occurred on July 11, 2023, in the backyard of a residence in Harrison.

Aparicio De La Cruz is charged with Sexual Assault in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2c(4), a crime of the second degree; Endangering the Welfare of a Child in violation of N.J.S.A. 24-4a(1), a crime of the third degree; and Criminal Sexual Contact in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-3b, a crime of the fourth degree. He is currently being detained at the Hudson County Correctional Facility pending his first court appearance. The investigation determined the defendant met the victim on social media prior to the assault.

Prosecutor Suarez credited the Special Victims Unit with the investigation and arrest, with assistance from the Harrison and Kearny Police Departments. 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)