Belleville Man Pleads Guilty; Sexually Assaulted, Strangled Minor

BELLEVILLE, NJ — A Belleville man pleaded guilty to multiple criminal charges this week after he sexually assaulted a juvenile during a late-night home invasion in Clifton last year, authorities said.

Andres Vasquez, 25, of Belleville, was arrested in June 2022 after the Clifton Police Department and the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office launched a joint investigation.

Passaic County prosecutors previously released the following statement about the allegations against Vasquez:

The child wasn't killed in the assault. The extent of their injuries wasn't known at the time, prosecutors previously told Patch. Read More: Belleville Man Sexually Assaulted Child In Clifton, Authorities Say

Vasquez admitted he did not know the victim and did not have permission to enter the home. He also admitted that he strangled the victim and engaged in sexual intercourse without her consent, authorities said.

On Tuesday, Vasquez pleaded guilty to first-degree aggravated sexual assault and to third-degree endangering the welfare of a child.

Prosecutors have agreed to recommend a 10-year sentence with an 85 percent period of parole ineligibility consecutive to a flat five-year term, for an aggregate term of 15 years in New Jersey state prison.

Vasquez will be required to submit to an evaluation as to the nature of his sexual conduct at the Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center in Avenel. He will also be subject to parole supervision for life and Megan's Law registration requirements upon release from incarceration.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Oct. 2. Vasquez will remain detained at the Bergen County Jail while pending sentencing.

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