An Elizabeth man has been arrested in connection with the sexual assault of a child, acting Union County Prosecutor Grace H. Park announced Thursday.
Carlos Viana, 52, was charged with first-degree aggravated sexual assault of a child and third-degree endangering the welfare of a child.
The case was referred to the Prosecutor’s Office’s Special Victims Unit by a local hospital last weekend, according to Union County Assistant Prosecutor Nathan Hewette-Guyton, who is prosecuting the case.
The Unit’s investigation revealed that Viana allegedly inappropriately touched the victim, who is under the age of 13, earlier this month, Hewette-Guyton said.
Criminal charges against Viana were filed earlier this week, and following attempts to locate and arrest him, he turned himself in to authorities around 12 pm. Wednesday.
State Superior Court Judge Regina Caulfield set bail at $300,000, ordering Viana not to have any contact with the victim and to surrender his passport, and he was subsequently lodged in Union County Jail.
Anyone with additional information about Viana’s activities is being urged to contact Special Victims Unit Detective Brian O’Malley at 908-220-4323.
Convictions on charges of first-degree aggravated sexual assault of a child are commonly punishable by 25 years to life in state prison.