NJ Man, Who Sexually Abused Child For Years, Found Guilty: Officials

PASSAIC, NJ — A Passaic man who sexually abused a child for close to seven years has been found guilty of at least 20 charges, officials said.

A jury convicted Sergio Bernal, 36, of crimes including aggravated sexual assault, child endangerment, sexual assault, bribery, and tampering with both witnesses and physical evidence.

Officials began investigating the assaults in August of 2020. The then 16-year-old victim said that they had been sexually abused since October of 2013, at different residences in Passaic. Investigators interviewed the victim and several witnesses to identify Bernal as the suspect, arrested him, and charged him.

After the initial indictment, Bernal and a co-conspirator then tried to bribe witnesses and the victim with money and financial assistance so they would recant their statements, the prosecutor's office said in 2021.

A petit jury convicted Bernal on June 27 and he will remain in the Bergen County Jail pending a scheduled sentencing in Oct. 29, authorities said. He faces 25 years to life in prison on one of the first-degree aggravated sexual assault charges, and 10 to 20 years in prison on the other two first-degree charges.

The second-degree sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child charges carry five to 10 years in prison, officials added. Bernal would be subject to parole supervision for life and Megan's Law registration.