Passaic County officials reported that Mr. Sergio Bernal, 33, of Passaic and Ms. Maricella Gonzalez, 52, of Garfield, have been indicted.
According to Passaic County officials, Bernal has been indicted on multiple counts of sexual offenses against a child, hindering apprehension, terroristic threats, witness tampering, conspiracy to commit witness tampering, bribery, conspiracy to commit bribery, tampering with physical evidence, and contempt.
Officials say Gonzalez has been indicted on witness tampering, conspiracy to commit witness tampering, bribery, conspiracy to commit bribery, and tampering with physical evidence.
Officials said after Mr. Bernal was arrested for and charged with various sexual offenses against a child that took place at multiple residences in Passaic from October 2013 to August 2020.
"Mr. Bernal and Ms. Gonzalez conspired to tamper with and bribe the child victim and another witness in connection to the prosecution against Mr. Bernal," Passaic County officials said.
Specifically, Mr. Bernal and Ms. Gonzalez offered a sum of United States currency and financial assistance with tuition and a car to the child victim and another witness in exchange for recanting their statements to law enforcement regarding the sexual assault charges pending against Mr. Bernal, according to Passaic County officials.