PASSAIC COUNTY, NJ — A Passaic County man has been arrested after luring and sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl at the Jersey Shore, according to prosecutors.
Adolfo A. Cruz-Garcia, 23, of Haledon, faces multiple charges, including first-degree aggravated sexual assault, following a weeks-long investigation.
According to prosecutors, Cruz-Garcia began chatting with the victim on social media on Oct. 2, and despite knowing she was 11 years old, solicited nude photos and videos of her engaging in sexual acts, police say. He offered her money for these photos and videos, authorities added.
That day, Cruz-Garcia showed up at the girl's house and told her that if she did not leave her home and go with him, he would send the images and videos to her friends and family, police say.
The girl left her home and got in his car, where she was repeatedly sexually assaulted by Cruz-Garcia, officials said. He later dropped her off back home, authorities added.
An investigation was launched by the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office Special Victims Bureau and the Asbury Park Police Department, and Cruz-Garcia was arrested without incident near his home on Tuesday.
He is charged with first-degree aggravated sexual assault, first-degree endangering the welfare of a child, first-degree kidnapping, second-degree aggravated sexual extortion, second-degree sexual assault, and third-degree endangering.
Cruz-Garcia is being held at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution to await court proceedings.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Wayne Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.