A Ventnor man charged on Tuesday with first-degree aggravated sexual assault, second-degree endangering the welfare of a child and second-degree sexual assault for manually touching a child, appeared in court Thursday and formally heard the charges against him, Atlantic County Prosecutor Ted Housel stated.
Pascual Lopez, of N. Marion Avenue, allegedly assaulted a 7-year-old girl on Sept. 1, 2002 while in an Egg Harbor City residence. The victim did not disclose the crime until November of 2010, at which time she told an individual about the sexual assault. The individual then notified the Prosecutor’s Office. Members of the Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit conducted the investigation which led to Lopez’ arrest. During the brief hearing today Superior Court Judge Charles Middlesworth read the charges against Lopez and asked if he had received a copy of the complaint. Lopez said he had received a copy, according to Assistant Prosecutor Kelli Fallon who represented the state.
Lopez remains in the Atlantic County Justice Facility in lieu of $225,000 no 10 %.
A crime of the first-degree carries a maximum prison term of 20 years and $200,000 in fines. A second-degree crime carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years and a fine of up to $150,000.
