By: Tracie Carter
A Union City man is facing serious criminal charges following a joint investigation into an incident involving a minor in Oakland and Clifton, New Jersey.
According to a statement released by the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office, 22-year-old Elmer Barranco was taken into custody on Thursday, March 27.
Police were called to the area of Ramapo Valley Road and East Oak Street in Oakland after receiving a report of someone screaming.
Upon arrival, officers encountered a minor between the ages of 13 and 16 who had reportedly been involved in an altercation with an adult male inside a vehicle. Authorities located the vehicle and identified the driver as Elmer Barranco, who was allegedly under the influence of alcohol at the time.
Following a preliminary investigation, detectives from the Special Victims Unit determined that Barranco, who was known to the victim, had engaged in acts involving explicit contact with the minor inside the vehicle in Oakland, and in a separate location in Clifton on the same day.
Barranco was arrested and charged with two counts of second-degree sexual assault, two counts of third-degree endangering the welfare of a minor, and two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact.
He also received summonses for multiple motor vehicle violations.
Barranco is currently being held at the Bergen County Jail pending his first court appearance at the Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack.
The investigation remains ongoing. Authorities have not released additional details about the case to protect the identity of the victim.