Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, Acting Chief of Investigations Chris Kimker and Randolph Township Police Chief David Stokoe announce that a Morris County jury found Jose Lemus, 65 of Randolph guilty of one count Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a crime of the 2nd degree.
The jury found Lemus not guilty of one count of 2nd degree Sexual Assault, and could not reach a verdict on a separate count of 2nd degree Sexual Assault and two counts of 3rd degree Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact.
The sexual acts that constituted Endangering the Welfare of a Child occurred in 2011 through 2015 when the victim was between the ages of 11 and 15 years old.
The Honorable Stephen J. Taylor, J.S.C. presided over the trial, and will sentence Lemus at a later date, to be determined.
Lemus was subsequently remanded to the Morris County Correctional Facility pending sentencing. At sentencing, he faces a sentence of 5 to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison.
He will also be subject to registration pursuant to Megan’s Law and Parole Supervision for Life.
The State was represented by Assistant Prosecutors Gloria Rispoli and George Russo at trial. Prosecutor Knapp commended both of the Assistant Prosecutors along with Detective Supervisor Carolina Moreno for their outstanding work in investigating and prosecuting this case.
Prosecutor Knapp would also like to thank the Randolph Township Police Department, the New Jersey State Police, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Digital Media Unit, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit for their efforts in this case.