Union Co. Man Convicted Of Rape Of Young Girl, Accused Of Sex Assault Of 2 More Girls

ELIZABETH, NJ — A Union County man was found guilty for the rape and sexual assault of a young girl over a three-year period.

On Feb. 4, a Union County jury found Ivan Calderon, 62, of Elizabeth, guilty of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and second-degree sexual assault, Union County Prosecutor William Daniel announced Monday.

The verdict followed a nearly month-long trial before Union County Superior Court Judge Stacey Boretz. The jury deliberated for three days before returning its verdict.

In early January 2022, the Union County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit got a report of a sexual assault of a juvenile victim that occurred between 2014 and 2017, according to Assistant Prosecutor Kathleen Dillon, who prosecuted the case.

The victim was less than 13 years old at the time of these crimes, Dillon said.

Calderon was arrested in late January 2022 and was lodged in the Union County Jail after being charged with sexual assault.

As a result of the Special Victims Unit's continuing investigation, he was also charged with the sexual assaults of two additional juvenile victims in March of 2022 and another in July of 2024. These cases are still pending.

"This conviction will not erase the trauma inflicted on the victim, but it sends a clear message: sexual assault will not be tolerated," Daniel said. "The Union County Prosecutor’s Office is
committed to pursuing the prosecution of individuals who prey on vulnerable children."

Sentencing for Calderon is tentatively scheduled for March 21, where he will face 25 years to
life in State Prison with a mandatory parole ineligibility of 25 years.

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