UNION CITY, NJ – A Union City resident was arrested Wednesday following an investigation that began after a 12-year-old reported being inappropriately touched at a public pool in June of last year, officials said.
The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit charged Malik Pardo, 26, after uncovering allegations that he made unlawful physical contact with the minor and also sent inappropriate messages to her and another 13-year-old girl.
Authorities took Pardo into custody near New York Avenue and 9th Street in Union City. He was transported to the Hudson County Correctional Facility in Kearny, where he is being held pending his first court appearance.
Pardo is facing one count of sexual assault by contact, a second-degree offense, along with three counts of endangering the welfare of a child, which are third-degree crimes under New Jersey law.
The investigation remains active. Prosecutors have not disclosed how Pardo came into contact with the victims or whether he had any prior relationship with them.