FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Raymond Worrall
PHONE: (201) 795-6400 Ext. 6737
EMAIL: rworrall@hcpo.org
DATE: Friday, September 13, 2019
JURY FINDS GUTTENBERG MAN GUILTY IN SEXUAL ASSAULT TRIAL
On Friday, September 13, 2019, Oscar Castaneda, age 64, of Guttenberg, was convicted by a Hudson County jury of four counts of Aggravated Sexual Assault, a first-degree crime, two counts of Sexual Assault, a second-degree crime, two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a second-degree crime, one count of Terroristic Threats, a third-degree crime, and one count of Simple Assault, a disorderly persons offense, following three days of trial testimony. The jury deliberated for approximately five hours before returning their guilty verdict to the nine-count indictment.
The jury found Castaneda guilty of sexually assaulting two minor female victims. The first victim was sexually assaulted multiple times during the time frame of March 2004 through March 2010 when she was age six through age 11. The second victim was sexually assaulted multiple times during the time frame of November 2013 through April 2018 when she was age five through age 10.
Castaneda faces up to 20 years in state prison for the Aggravated Sexual Assault of the first victim. Castaneda faces up to life in prison for the Aggravated Sexual Assault of the second victim since the acts occurred after the enactment of the Jessica Lunsford Act. The Jessica Lunsford Act carries a 25-year mandatory minimum sentence. The convictions will also subject the defendant to registration under Megan’s Law and Parole Supervision for Life.
The Honorable Patrick J. Arre, J.S.C. presided over the trial. Judge Arre is scheduled to sentence the defendant on January 10, 2020.
The State was represented by Assistant Prosecutor Karen Kazanchy.
The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit investigated the case.