NJ Man Guilty Of Sexually Abusing Child For Several Years, Jury Rules

PATERSON, NJ — Jurors have convicted a Paterson man of sexually assaulting a child and attempting to sexually assault a young woman over the course of several years, nearly two decades ago.

According to the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office, both victims told police that Muniru Owe had sexually abused them in the past at a residence in Haledon.

Authorities began investigating the assaults in 2020, after the first woman came forward to report that Owe sexually assaulted her between 2004 and 2006. She was between 5 and 6 years old at the time, the prosecutor said.

A second woman reported that Owe sexually assaulted her from 2006 to 2008, when she was between 19 and 22 years old, officials said.

Officials indicted Owe in 2021, following their initial investigation.

On Monday, a Passaic County petit jury found Owe, 74, of Paterson, guilty on all charges: Second-degree sexual assault, third-degree child endangerment, and second-degree attempted sexual assault, officials said.

His sentencing is scheduled for June 27, and Judge Marybel Mercado-Ramirez ordered him sent to the Bergen County Jail.

He faces a sentence of five to 10 years in prison on the second-degree crimes, and three to five years in prison on the endangering the welfare of a child crime. Upon release, Owe would be subject to parole supervision and Megan's Law requirements.