An 81-year-old man was arrested at Newark Liberty International Airport on charges stemming from the alleged sexual assault of an 11-year-old girl at a Union City flea market, according to prosecutors.
JERSEY CITY, N.J. — An 81-year-old Williamstown man has been charged in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a juvenile girl during an incident that investigators say occurred in Union City in 2022.
The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office announced that members of its Special Victims Unit arrested Mamdouh Ghattas on Monday, July 13.
Ghattas was taken into custody by the Port Authority Police Department at Newark Liberty International Airport and transported to the Hudson County Correctional Facility, where he is being held pending his first court appearance.
According to prosecutors, the alleged crimes occurred in June 2022 when the victim was 11 years old. Investigators said the victim reported that Ghattas made inappropriate contact with her at a flea market in Union City.
Ghattas is charged with second-degree sexual assault by contact and third-degree endangering the welfare of a child.
The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office credited its Special Victims Unit and the Port Authority Police Department with the investigation and arrest.
Anyone wishing to report a sex crime is encouraged to contact the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit at 201-915-1234.
The charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Key Points
- An 81-year-old Williamstown man was arrested at Newark Liberty International Airport.
- Prosecutors allege the offenses involved an 11-year-old girl at a Union City flea market in June 2022.
- The defendant faces charges of sexual assault by contact and endangering the welfare of a child.
