Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, Acting Chief of Investigations Christoph Kimker, and Mount Olive Police Chief Stephen Beecher announced that Mr. Michael Rivera, 26, of Glen Spey, New York, has been charged with;
one count of Luring, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:13-6(a), a crime of the second degree;
two counts of Sexual Assault, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2(c)1, crimes of the second degree;
two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4(a)1, crimes of the third degree;
one count of Promoting Prostitution, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:34-1(b)7, a crime of the second degree.
Officials say, Rivera, who is currently employed as a corrections officer with the New York State Department of Corrections, is alleged to have contacted a 16-year-old female via the internet and offered her money in exchange for sexual acts on or about July 4, 2018.
According to officials, it is further alleged that the defendant met with the victim on July 6, 2018, in Mt. Olive, provided money and engaged in sexual acts with the victim.
When the victim indicated that she did not want to continue, the defendant forcibly penetrated the victim according to Morris County officials.
Thereafter, he took the money back and left the residence. The defendant’s identity was not initially known to the victim but was ascertained through extensive investigation by members of the Mt. Olive Police Department and Morris County Prosecutor’s Office – Sex Crimes / Child Endangerment Unit.
The defendant was remanded to the Morris County Correctional Facility pending a court appearance.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation.
Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent until he is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.