Hunterdon man sentenced to 25 years in prison for sexually assaulting 11-year-old
A High Bridge man has been sentenced to 25 years in state prison for sexually assaulting an 11-year-old child.
Jose V. Jarquin-Jarquin, 43, must serve all 25 years of the sentence before becoming eligible for parole under the terms of the sentence handed down by Superior Court Judge Christopher J. Garrenger.
The sentence follows the Jessica Lunsford Act which calls for a mandatory minimum of 25 years in prison for sexually assaulting a child under the age of 13.
Jarquin-Jarquin, who will also be subject to Megan's Law Registration and Parole Supervision for life, was found guilty by a jury following a four-week trial of first-degree aggravated assault, second-degree sexual assault and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child.
Jarquin-Jarquin was arrested after the victim told friends and a school counselor about the assault. That led to an investigation by the High Bridge Police Department and the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office, with assistance from the New Jersey State Police.
"Aggravated sexual assault of a victim who is less than thirteen years old is one of the most heinous crimes imaginable," Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renee Robeson said in a statement. "The enhanced sentence today reinforces my office’s commitment to protecting Hunterdon County’s children and deterring future offenders, which is consistent with the purpose of the Jessica Lunsford Act.”
The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant Prosecutor Jessica L. Cardone and Assistant Prosecutor Tina DiFranco.
“Children are the foundation of our community and the most vulnerable population," Cardone said. "It is vital to hold those adults accountable who abuse and exploit children for their own sexual gratification.”
Email: mdeak@mycentraljersey.com
Mike Deak is a reporter for mycentraljersey.com. To get unlimited access to his articles on Somerset and Hunterdon counties, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: NJ man sentenced to 25 years in prison for child sexual assault
