Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Kervin Joseph Michel, 35, of Newark has been arrested and charged in connection with three sexual assaults and one attempted sexual assault in Newark and Irvington.
He is currently being held at the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark on multiple counts of first degree aggravated sexual assault, aggravated assault, kidnapping, burglary, terroristic threats, criminal restraint, endangering the welfare of a child and unlawful possession of a weapon.
Michel is charged with sexually assaulting a 13-year-old child on June 6, 2015 at her home in Newark. In that incident he is charged with eight counts of first degree aggravated sexual assault, burglary, endangering the welfare of a child and unlawful possession of a weapon. Bail for that incident was set at $300,000.
He is charged with sexually assaulting a 29-year-old woman at her home in Irvington on Nov. 2, 2015. In that attack Michel is charged with first degree aggravated sexual assault, kidnapping and terroristic threats. Bail was set at $750,000.
Michel is also charged with the Nov. 4, 2015 sexual assault of a 21-year-old woman in Irvington. In that incident an infant was in the home and the victim’s boyfriend returned to the house and was attacked by Michel. In that case, Michel is charged with kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault, aggravated assault and criminal restraint. Bail was set at $750,000.
On Dec. 13, 2015, it is alleged that Michel attempted to sexually assault a fourth woman in Newark. In that case he forced himself into her car when she went to a gas station convenience store to purchase something and took her to another location where he attempted to rape her. He is charged with attempted sexual assault, kidnapping and terroristic threats.
Acting Prosecutor Murray praised Acting Deputy Chief Jose Ramirez and members of the Special Victims Unit for recognizing a pattern among these cases that resulted in the arrest. Acting Prosecutor Murray also lauded the New Jersey State Police Lab for assisting in this case.
These are accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they enter a guilty plea or are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The investigation is active and ongoing.