Man Charged With Sexual Assault, Child Endangering Had Unsecured Gun: NJ Prosecutor

PARAMUS, NJ — Officials arrested an Alabama man on sexual assault and child endangering charges Wednesday in Paramus, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said.

Elijah Hutchens, 18, of Alabama sexually assaulted a child "one more than one occasion" in Paramus, Musella said. The child was under 16 at the time, according to Musella.

Hutchens also was storing "an unsecured firearm" within reach of the juvenile, Musella said.

Paramus Police contacted the prosecutor's office on Wednesday to begin an investigation, Musella said.

Law enforcement charged Hutchens with second-degree sexual assault, third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, fourth-degree criminal sexual contact, and a disorderly persons offense for having a firearm a minor is likely to gain access to.

Hutchens is at the Bergen County Jail, records show.