The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office has announced the arrest of Fernando Sandoval from Hackensack on charges of sexual assault and child endangerment.
According to authorities, Sandoval, 42, was apprehended following a joint investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and the Hackensack Police Department. The investigation alleges that Sandoval sexually assaulted and endangered a juvenile multiple times between December 2024 and November 2025. The charges against him include second-degree sexual assault, attempted sexual assault, third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and fourth-degree criminal sexual contact. Sandoval was taken into custody on November 12, 2025, and is currently held at the Bergen County Jail awaiting his initial court appearance.
New Jersey State Police data indicate that Bergen County reported 223 cases of sexual assault in 2024, marking a 5% increase from the previous year. Prosecutors and local law enforcement attribute this trend partly to increased reporting confidence due to statewide victim support initiatives and specialized investigative units.
Statewide statistics show over 1,800 arrests for sexual offenses in New Jersey in 2024, with about 12% involving minors. The New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety highlights that most cases involved defendants known to the victims, emphasizing the need for preventive education and community vigilance.
The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office operates as the chief law enforcement agency for Bergen County from its headquarters in Hackensack. Under the leadership of Prosecutor Mark Musella since 2019, it investigates major crimes such as sexual assault, homicide, narcotics violations, and financial offenses. The office works closely with local police departments and state authorities to maintain public safety across one of New Jersey’s most populous counties.
