Hudson County Man Met Girl, 13, Online, Sexually Assaulted Her In Back Yard: Prosecutors

HUDSON COUNTY, NJ — A Kearny man was arrested Wednesday for allegedly sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl in a local back yard after meeting her online, prosecutors said.

Angel Aparicio De La Cruz, 18, of Kearny, was charged with sexual assault, endangering the welfare of a child, and criminal sexual contact, said the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office.

The crimes occurred on July 11, 2023, in the backyard of a residence in Harrison, prosecutors said Friday.

"The investigation determined the defendant met the victim on social media prior to the assault," prosecutors said.

After being arrested last Wednesday, he was taken to the Hudson County Correctional Facility pending his first court appearance, prosecutors said.

Anyone wishing to report a sex crime should call the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office Special Victims Unit (SVU) at 201-915-1234, prosecutors said.

Prosecutor Esther Suarez credited the Hudson County Special Victims Unit with the investigation and arrest, with
assistance from the Harrison and Kearny police departments.