PATERSON, NJ- Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Wanaque Police Chief Robert Kronyak announce the arrest of Zariq T. Hewitt, 25 years old, from Paterson, New Jersey.
Mr. Hewitt was arrested after a lengthy investigation conducted by the Wanaque Police Department, in conjunction with the Sexual Investigations Unit of the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office. Mr. Hewitt is charged with first-degree aggravated sexual assault and second-degree sexual assault in connection to an incident that took place in March of 2019.
On March 24, 2019, the Wanaque Police Department received a report of a sexual assault that occurred during a large house party at 159 Greenwood Avenue, Wanaque, N.J. The victim alleged that at one point during the party, she was unconscious and was then awakened by the nonconsensual act of penetration by a man who was later identified as Zariq T. Hewitt.
Hewitt was arrested on September 3, 2021 without incident. The sentencing exposure on first degree aggravated sexual assault is ten to twenty years in New Jersey State Prison, with 85% of the term to be served before parole eligibility pursuant to the No Early Release Act and on second-degree sexual assault is five to ten years with 85% of the term to be served before parole eligibility pursuant to the No Early Release Act. If convicted, Mr. Hewitt will also be subject to Parole Supervision for Life and Megan’s Law registration requirements.