PATERSON, NJ – Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes announces that Joel Cerezo-Sanchez, age 53, of Paterson, New Jersey has been indicted for sexual offenses against a child. A Passaic County Grand Jury has returned Indictment No. 21-07-00394-I charging Joel Cerezo-Sanchez for sexual offenses against a child that took place at a residence in the City of Paterson from August 2018 through November 2020 when the child was between 10 and 12 years old.
Mr. Joel Cerezo-Sanchez was indicted on two counts of first-degree Aggravated Sexual Assault, three counts of second-degree Sexual Assault and one count of third-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child. The sentencing exposure on first degree Aggravated Sexual Assault where the victim is under the age of thirteen is twenty-five years to life in New Jersey State Prison, subject to a twenty-five year parole disqualifier pursuant to the Jessica Lunsford Act; on second degree Sexual Assault it is five to ten years in New Jersey State Prison with 85% of the term to be served before parole eligibility pursuant to the No Early Release Act; on third degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child it is three to five years in New Jersey State Prison.
If convicted, Mr. Joel Cerezo-Sanchez will be subject to Parole Supervision for Life and Megan’s Law registration requirements. Mr. Cerezo-Sanchez is currently detained pending the disposition of this case. Mr. CerezoSanchez will be scheduled for arraignment within the next month. A criminal indictment is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is 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 to contact us on our tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org.