Paterson man sexually assaulted 11-year-old child, authorities say
By Jonathan Greene
Published: February 22, 2021
A city man allegedly sexually assaulted a child who was in his care, according to the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office.
William Ortega, 42-year-old, has been charged with first-degree aggravated sexual assault, second-degree sexual assault, two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, and third-degree terroristic threats.
Detectives arrested Ortega last Thursday after an investigation by the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit.
Ortega allegedly sexually assaulted the child at a residence in Paterson and then threatened the child to not tell anyone about the attack.
Ortega faces a maximum of 25 years in state prison for the aggravated sexual assault charge alone, authorities said. He is being held at the Passaic County Jail.