Authorities claim New Jersey man sexually abused child

Authorities in Bergen County have arrested a Lodi man and charged him with aggravated sexual assault and child endangerment after investigators accused him of sexually abusing a child under the age of 13, Bergen County District Attorney Mark Musella said Thursday.

Jose F. Villanueva, 42, of Lodi was charged with first-degree aggravated sexual assault, second-degree sexual assault by physical contact and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child.

On Wednesday, the Division of Child Protection and Permanent Residency contacted the Bergen County District Attorney’s Office regarding an alleged sexual abuse of a child, authorities said Thursday.

Investigators with the Bergen County District Attorney’s Office and Lodi Police said Villanueva sexually abused the child while serving in a supervisory role in both Lodi and Passaic.

Villanueva was arrested Wednesday and is being held in the Bergen County Jail pending his first court appearance.

A lawyer for Villanueva did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday afternoon.

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