Passaic County Prosecutor's Office announced the arrest and detention of William Vazquez, 32, from Paterson.
According to Police, Mr. Vazquez was charged on August 4 with multiple charges, including sexual assault and weapons violations, following a joint investigation by the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office, Sexual Investigations Unit in conjunction with the Paterson Police Department.
Mr. Vazquez is charged with multiple counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, second-degree sexual assault, second-degree possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, third-degree invasion of privacy, and fourth-degree aggravated assault for pointing a firearm.
Police state on August 9, 2021, a woman and a man at the Great Falls in Paterson located a Paterson Police officer in the area and reported that they were sexually assaulted at gunpoint by a stranger who jumped out of the bushes carrying a silver revolver in his hands.
The Paterson Police Department then notified the Sexual Investigations Unit of the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office.
As part of the subsequent investigation, formal statements were taken from each victim, and the suspect's vehicle was identified at the scene.
According to Officers, Vazquez was later identified as the suspect and was charged accordingly.
The sentencing exposure on first-degree Aggravated Sexual Assault is ten to twenty years in New Jersey State Prison, with eighty-five percent of the term to be served before parole eligibility under the No Early Release Act.
The sentencing exposure on second-degree sexual assault and second-degree possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon carry five to ten years in New Jersey State Prison, each with parole disqualifiers.
The sentencing exposure for third-degree invasion of privacy is three to five years in New Jersey State Prison. Fourth-degree aggravated assault for pointing a firearm carries a maximum of eighteen months.
According to Police, if convicted, Mr. Vazquez would be required to submit to an evaluation as to the nature of his sexual conduct at the Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center in Avenel. He will also be subject to Parole Supervision for Life and Megan's Law registration requirements upon conviction.
Mr. Vazquez is currently detained at the Bergen County Jail. The State filed a motion for pretrial detention, granted by Superior Court Judge Scott Rumana. A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The Passaic County Prosecutor's Office asks anyone with additional information about this incident or other incidents regarding this individual to contact us on our tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO.