Arrest Made In 2021 Gunpoint Sex Assault In Passaic Park: Prosecutor

PATERSON, NJ - A Paterson man has been charged in connection with a sex assault at gunpoint at the Great Falls in 2021, authorities said.

William Vazquez, 32 was charged on Thursday with sexual assault and weapons violations, including aggravated sexual assault and aggravated assault for pointing a firearm, according to the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office.

Vazquez is currently detained at the Bergen County Jail. The State filed a motion for pretrial detention, which was granted by Superior Court Judge Scott Rumana.

The charges stem from an Aug. 9, 2021 incident in which a woman and a man at the Great Falls in Paterson reported that they were sexually assaulted at gunpoint by a stranger who jumped out of the bushes.

Vazquez faces a sentence of ten to 20 years in state prison on the aggravated sexual assault charge, with an additional five to ten years on posession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose charge. He also faces three to five years on the invasion of privacy charge and a maximum of eighteen months on the aggravated assault for pointing a firearm charge.

If convicted, Vazquez would also be required to submit to an evaluation at the Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center in Avenel, as well as be subject to Parole Supervision for Life and Megan’s Law registration requirements.

The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office is asking anyone with additional information about this incident to contact the office tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO.