A Somerset County man has been arrested and charged with sexually assaulting a child on multiple occasions, beginning several years ago, acting Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay V. Ruotolo announced Friday.
Union County officials say Mr. Daniel Williams, 36, of Franklin Township has been charged with first-degree aggravated sexual assault, second-degree sexual assault, and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child.
The Special Victims Unit, working on a referral, conducted a seven-month investigation that resulted in Williams being identified as a suspect, according to Union County Assistant Prosecutor Tracy Boyd, who is prosecuting the case.
Officials say the investigation revealed that the alleged sexual assaults began in Linden approximately five years ago, when the victim was 7 years old, and continued into the following year, Boyd said.
Williams was arrested at his home by members of the Franklin Township Police Department on Monday, July 15, and then transported to Union County Jail to await a detention hearing that took place last Friday.
Anyone with additional information about the activities of Williams is being urged to contact Special Victims Unit Detective Jennifer Smith at 908-965-3814.
Convictions on first-degree criminal charges of this nature are commonly punishable by 10 to 20 years in state prison, while second-degree crimes are punishable by 5 to 10 years.
These criminal charges are mere accusations.
Each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.