New Jersey man found guilty of sexually abusing child for years: officials

PASSAIC, NJ — A Passaic man who sexually abused a child for nearly seven years has been found guilty on at least 20 counts, officials said.

A jury convicted 36-year-old Sergio Bernal of crimes including aggravated sexual assault, endangering a child, sexual assault, bribery and tampering with testimony and evidence.

Officers began investigating the assaults in August 2020. The victim, then 16, said they had been sexually assaulted in various Passaic apartments since October 2013. Investigators interviewed the victim and several witnesses to identify Bernal as a suspect, arrested him, and charged him.

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After the initial indictment, Bernal and a co-conspirator then attempted to bribe witnesses and the victim with money and financial support to get them to recant their statements, prosecutors said in 2021.

A jury convicted Bernal on June 27. He will remain in the Bergen County Jail until sentencing on Oct. 29, authorities said. He faces 25 years to life in prison on one of the first-degree aggravated sexual assault charges and 10 to 20 years in prison on the other two first-degree charges.

The charges of second-degree sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child carry a prison sentence of five to 10 years, officials added. Bernal would be under probation supervision for life and be registered with Megan’s Law.