FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Raymond Worrall
PHONE: (201) 795-6400 Ext. 6737
EMAIL: rworrall@hcpo.org
TWITTER: @HCPOProsecutor
WEB: hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org
DATE: Wednesday, December 20, 2017
FOUR STUDENTS CHARGED IN HIGH SCHOOL SEXUAL ASSAULT
Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has released the following information:
Four Hoboken High School students have been charged in connection with the aggravated criminal sexual contact of a 17-year-old female student. The incident took place at the high school on Thursday, November 30, 2017, when the female student was pushed into a room where she was fondled and forced to perform a sexual act. School surveillance video captured the victim being pushed into the room.
Amir D. Goodwin, age 18, of Hoboken, was charged on November 30, 2017, with one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Possession of Child Pornography) in violation of N.J.S. 2C:24-4b(5)(b), a third-degree crime; one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Distribution of Child Pornography) in violation of 2C:24-4b(5)a1, a second-degree crime; one count of Criminal Sexual Contact in violation of N.J.S. 2C:14-3b, a fourth-degree crime; and one count of Criminal Restraint in violation of 2C:13-2b, a third-degree crime. Goodwin was additionally charged on December 12, 2017, with one count of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact in violation of N.J.S. 2C:14-3a, a third-degree crime; Conspiracy to Commit Kidnapping in violation of N.J.S. 2C:5-2 and 2C: 13-1b(1), a second-degree crime; and Conspiracy to commit Aggravated Sexual Assault in violation of N.J.S. 2C:5-2 and 2C:13-1b(1), a second-degree crime. Goodwin allegedly video recorded the incident on his cell phone. Goodwin was released on December 19, 2017, following his detention hearing in Superior Court.
In addition to Goodwin, two 16-year-old students and one 17-year-old student were arrested and charged on November 30, 2017, in connection with the sexual assault. The 17-year-old juvenile is charged with one count of Aggravated Sexual Assault in violation of N.J.S. 2C:14-2(a)(5), a first-degree crime; Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact in violation of N.J.S. 2C:14-3a, a third-degree crime; and Kidnapping in violation of N.J.S. 2C:13-1(b), a first-degree crime. The two 16-year-old juveniles were charged with one count each of Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Sexual Assault in violation of N.J.S. 2C:5-2 and N.J.S. 2C:14-2(a)(5), a second-degree crime, Conspiracy to Commit Kidnapping, in violation of N.J.S. 2C:5-2 and N.J.S. 2C:13-1(b), a second-degree crime; and Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact in violation of N.J.S. 2C:14-3a, a third-degree crime. All three juveniles were released with conditions. The juveniles’ cases are pending in Family Court. Due to confidentiality in juvenile delinquency matters, no additional information can be released.
“There will be a thorough investigation of this case which is deeply disturbing on so many levels; the ages of all the alleged individuals involved, the acts alleged, and the brazenness of where they took place. Children in school need to feel safe and parents need to feel confident of their safety,” said Prosecutor Suarez. “We will continue to investigate and will certainly prosecute this case to the fullest extent of the law.”
The above charges are merely accusations, and the defendant and juveniles are presumed innocent until proven guilty. R.P.C.3.6(b)(6).