Sparta Man Sexually Assaulted Girl, 10, At House Of Worship: Prosecutor

A Sparta man was charged Monday for sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl while they were attending Beth Israel Jerusalem Center in Wayne last year, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes said.

Charles Card, 30, was charged with sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child, Valdes said.

The alleged incidents of sexual assault reportedly occurred between January to August of last year, Assistant Prosecutor Erica Salerno of the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit said. Authorities would say exactly how many alleged incidents occurred.

The Wayne Police Department and the Special Victims Unit conducted a joint investigation into the allegations.

Passaic County Superior Court Judge Scott J. Bennion set Card’s bail at $150,000 with no 10 percent option. He was remanded to Passaic County Jail in lieu of bail, Valdes said.

Sexual assault carries a maximum term of 10 years in state prison. Endangering the welfare of a child carries a maximum term of five years. Eighty-five percent of the sexual assault sentence must be served before Card is eligible for parole, Valdes said.

(Pictured: Charles Card, 30/Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office)