Released South Jersey Sex Offender Convicted After Re-Offending: Prosecutor

MULLICA TWP., NJ — A registered sex offender was convicted on multiple charges after he sexually assaulted a minor less than a year after being released from prison, authorities said.

Marcelino Cruz, 34, of Mullica Township, was convicted of second-degree sexual assault, endangering the welfare of a child, and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office.

The investigation began when the mother of the 13-year-old found "disturbing" text messages on her child's phone, authorities said.

Police confirmed that Cruz, then 33, was communicating with the child, according to officials. Further investigation found that Cruz had engaged in a sexual act with the 13-year-old during the first week of Aug. 2022, officials said. A CSAM image was also found on Cruz's phone, authorities said.

Cruz, already a registered sex offender, had been released from prison less than a year before sexually assaulting the teen in 2022, according to authorities. He had been serving a five-year sentence after being convicted in Salem County in 2019 and had been released on parole in Nov. 2021.

Now, Cruz faces up to 20 years in prison, officials said. He must serve this in its entirety before he can resume parole supervision for life and continued registration pursuant to Megan's Law. He also faces up to five years each for the counts of endangering the welfare of a child and CSAM possession, according to authorities.

Cruz is set to be sentenced May 6, 2024.