Law enforcement officials recently arrested a Paterson man for allegedly engaging in inappropriate sexual activity with a 13-year-old girl from Garfield.
According to a press release issued by the Bergen County Prosecutor s Office, 26-year-old Pedro LiranzoGomez has been charged with criminal sexual contact and endangering the welfare of a child after a young girl from Garfield informed her mother about an isolated incident allegedly involving LiranzoGomez.
The victim’s mother reported the alleged conduct to authorities at the Garfield Police Department, who subsequently contacted the Bergen County Prosecutor s Office Special Victims Unit. After detectives questioned the alleged victim, LiranzoGomez was arrested and held in lieu of bail amounting to $150,000.
The circumstances of the alleged offense remain undisclosed, including the location of the incident in question and the specific relationship between the victim and her alleged assailant. However, one thing is for certain: LiranzoGomez may be subject to severe penalties if he is ultimately found guilty in this case.
Under New Jersey law, criminal sexual contact is classified as a crime of the fourth degree, punishable by a term of incarceration of up to 18 months in New Jersey State Prison. Additionally, a conviction for this offense carries with it a Megan s Law requirement if the victim was less than 16 years old at the time of the offense.
Megan’s Law governs sex offender registration in New Jersey, requiring those convicted of applicable offenses to provide personal information to the State regarding their place of employment, residence, etc., as well as continual updates if their personal circumstances change. Overall, Megan’s Law registration can serve as a significant hindrance to those under its purview for long after their case is resolved.
For more information related to this case, access the following article: Paterson man charged in sex case involving 13-year-old girl in Garfield
