Crime & Safety
Religious Instructor Inappropriately Touched Young Student: Passaic Co. Prosecutors
The accused faces up to 15 years in prison, according to prosecutors.
PASSAIC COUNTY, NJ — A Bergen County religious instructor has been arrested for sexually touching one of his teen pupils, according to the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office.
Haitham Altartir, 62, from Elmwood Park, was arrested Thursday after being accused of inappropriately touching a 14-year-old, officials said.
An investigation by the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit was launched after receiving a tip from Paterson Police.
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According to authorities, Altartir “unlawfully touched an intimate part of a 14-year-old child” on May 14 in Paterson. Altartir served as a religious instructor to the victim, according to police.
The investigation resulted in Altartir’s arrest. He is charged with endangering the welfare of children and aggravated criminal sexual contact.
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He was released on pre-trial monitoring the same day of his arrest.
Altartir faces up to 10 years in prison for endangering the welfare of children, and up to five years for aggravated criminal sexual contact.
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