A Warren County jury convicted a 60-year-old Hackettstown man on multiple sexual assault and child endangerment charges involving a victim who was younger than 13 years old, prosecutors announced.
A Hackettstown man faces the possibility of spending the rest of his life in prison after a Warren County jury found him guilty of multiple sexual assault offenses involving a child.
Warren County Prosecutor Jessica L. Cardone, Chief of Detectives Brenton Warne, and Hackettstown Police Chief Aaron Perkins announced that Victor M. Torres, 60, was convicted June 11 following a jury trial in Warren County Superior Court.
Jury convicts defendant on multiple felony charges
Jurors found Torres guilty of three counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, two counts of second-degree sexual assault by contact, and one count of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child.
According to prosecutors, the offenses occurred in 2022 and involved a child who was known to the defendant.
“The sexual acts occurred in 2022 when the victim, who was known to the defendant, was less than thirteen (13) years old,” the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office said.
Sentencing scheduled for August
Superior Court Judge Reema Sethi Karriere presided over the trial.
Torres is scheduled to be sentenced in August and remains held at the Warren County Correctional Center pending that hearing.
“Torres is remanded to the Warren County Correctional Center until sentencing,” prosecutors said.
Life sentence possible under New Jersey law
Because of the severity of the convictions, Torres faces substantial prison exposure when he returns to court for sentencing.
Prosecutors said each first-degree aggravated sexual assault conviction carries a potential sentence of 25 years to life in New Jersey State Prison under the Jessica Lunsford Act.
In addition, Torres faces up to 10 years in prison on each second-degree conviction.
If sentenced to prison, he will also be subject to Megan’s Law registration requirements and parole supervision for life.
Multiple agencies assisted prosecution
The case was prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Brent DiMarco.
Prosecutors credited the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit, the Victim Witness Unit, the Hackettstown Police Department, and the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit for their work on the investigation and prosecution.
As with all criminal cases, sentencing will be determined by the court.
Key Points
• A Warren County jury convicted Victor M. Torres, 60, of Hackettstown on multiple sexual assault and child endangerment charges.
• Prosecutors said the victim was under the age of 13 when the offenses occurred in 2022.
• Torres faces a potential life sentence and remains jailed pending his August sentencing.
