2 Women Sexually Assaulted At Knifepoint In Essex County, Man Arrested

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — An Essex County resident has been accused of sexually assaulting two women at knifepoint in Irvington, authorities recently announced.

The accused man – Marquise Jones, 31, of Irvington – is being detained at the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark, where he is expected to remain until the cases are resolved, according to a statement from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Irvington Public Safety Department.

Prosecutors said the sexual assaults took place on March 25 and April 10. Authorities released the following allegations last week:

• “On March 26, 2024, the Irvington Police Department responded to Saint Michael’s Hospital on a report of sexual assault. When officers arrived at the hospital, the victim reported that she had been sexually assaulted by an unknown male at 25 Park Place in Irvington, New Jersey at knifepoint. A struggle ensued for the knife, at which time the victim and Jones both cut their hands.”
• “On April 10, 2024, a second victim reported being sexually assaulted at knifepoint by an unknown male at the same location. She also was injured by the knife during the assault.”

After an investigation by the Irvington Police Department, Jones was identified as the assailant in both incidents, authorities said. He was arrested on April 10 and charged with 10 offenses, including two counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault for each victim, criminal restraint and weapons offenses.

An investigation continues, authorities said. Anyone with information can contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office tips line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432.

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