Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes announces that after a trial by jury before the Honorable Justine A. Niccollai, J.S.C., Jose Antonio Gueits, of Paterson, was found guilty on twelve counts of sexual offenses involving a minor which occurred in Paterson.
According to authorities, Mr. Gueits was found guilty of three counts of First Degree Aggravated Sexual Assault, three counts of Second Degree Sexual Assault, five counts of Second Degree Endangering the Welfare of a Minor and one count of Third Degree Terroristic Threats, all relating to the sexual assault and sexual abuse of a female minor while she was between five and ten years of age.
Officials say First Degree Aggravated Sexual Assault carries a maximum term of twenty years in New Jersey State Prison, however, given the circumstances as they relate to one count of Aggravated Sexual Assault in this case, Mr. Gueits faces a mandatory minimum term of twenty-five years and up to a discretionary term of life in New Jersey State Prison. Second Degree Sexual Assault carries a maximum term of ten years in New Jersey State Prison and Second Degree Endangering the Welfare of a Minor carries a maximum term of ten years in New Jersey State Prison.
At trial the State was represented by Assistant Prosecutor Erica Salerno and the defendant was represented by Leigh Saltiel, Esq. following the guilty verdicts, Mr. Gueits was remanded to the Passaic County Jail. His sentence is scheduled for February 15, 2019.