Passaic Prosecutor: Duo Tried To Bribe Child Sex Assault Victim, Witness With Cash, Car, More
A Passaic County man and a companion tried to bribe a child sex assault victim and a witness with cash, tuition assistance – even a car -- to change their stories, authorities said.
Sergio Bernal, 33, of Passaic was originally charged with sex assaults on the underage victim at various residences in Passaic from October 2013 to August 2020, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes said Thursday.
A judge ordered that he remained held in the Passaic County Jail pending trial.
Both Bernal and Maricella Gonzalez, 52, of Garfield then tried to get the victim and witness to recant their state…
Haledon Police Stop Turns Up Loaded Gun, Drugs, $2,393 In Cash
A passenger was found toting a loaded handgun during a traffic stop, Haledon police said.
Officer Jeffrey Welsh stopped a Nissan Altima whose driver failed to signal a turn on Belmont Avenue shortly before 10 p.m. Sunday, Capt. George Guzman said.
The driver also failed to produce proof of registration or insurance, he said.
Passenger David Rodriguez, 25, of Paterson was asked to step out of the sedan after giving Welsh a fake name, the captain said.
The officer also spotted a large bottle of the prescription cough suppressant promethazine and codeine, commonly known as "purple drank," wi…
