Phone Photos Lead To Sex Assault Charge For Accused Morris Co. Drug Dealer: Police

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — A Jefferson Township resident has been arrested on aggravated sexual assault and related charges, according to an announcement by the Morris County Prosecutor's Office.

Michael Figueroa, 31, was first charged on Wednesday, April 19, after investigators executed a search warrant at his home and found multiple handguns, a pump-action rifle, suspected heroin and cocaine, ammunition and a digital scale.

Following his arrest, investigators found material on Figueroa's smartphone depicting the alleged sexual abuse of a child under the age of 13, officials said.

The sexual assaults are said to have happened at Figueroa's home in Jefferson Township over the course of two years, police said.

During the investigation, police also found additional images of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on Figueroa's phone.

Figueroa was initially charged with several counts, including drug possession and intent to distribute, as well as possession of firearms while distributing drugs.

As of May 1, he now faces additional charges such as first-degree aggravated sexual assault, second-degree sexual assault, second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, first-degree production of CSAM, second-degree endangering the welfare of a child and third-degree possession of CSAM.

Following his detention hearing on May 5, the state filed and was granted a motion for pretrial detention. Figueroa will therefore remain at the Morris County Correctional Facility.

Anyone with information about the investigation is asked to call the Morris County Prosecutor's Office's Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit at 973-285-6200.