FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Raymond Worrall
PHONE: (201) 320-3550
EMAIL: rworrall@hcpo.org
DATE: Thursday, March 23, 2023
KEARNY MAN CHARGED WITH SEXUALLY ASSAULTING TEENAGE GIRL HAS BEEN HARRESTED IN PUERTO RICO
Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has released the following information:
On Wednesday, March 22, 2023, Jose Alfredo Garcia, age 31, of Kearny, was arrested at approximately 7:50 p.m. in San German, Puerto Rico by members of the United States Marshals Service-District of Puerto Rico Violent Fugitive Task Force, in conjunction with the United States Marshals Service New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force. Garcia was sought for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old female victim in Kearny on December 20, 2021.
Following an investigation, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit charged Garcia with Sexual Assault in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2c(1), a second-degree crime; Sexual Assault in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2c(4), a second-degree crime; Luring/Enticing a Child in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:13-6a, a second-degree crime; Endangering the Welfare of a Child in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4a(1), a third-degree crime; and Criminal Sexual Contact in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-3b, a fourth-degree crime. Garcia is being detained at the Metropolitan Jail #705 in Bayamon, Puerto Rico as a fugitive from justice pending extradition to New Jersey.
Prosecutor Suarez credited the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit, the Kearny Police Department, the United States Marshals Service New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force, the United States Marshals Service of Puerto Rico Violent Fugitive Task Force, and the Puerto Rico Police Department with the investigation and arrest.
Anyone wishing to report a sex crime should call the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit (SVU) at 201-915-1234. All information will be kept confidential.
The above charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6)