New Jersey police officer charged in sexual assault case involving 2 teenage girls

Toni Yates Image
Monday, April 24, 2017
NJ officer charged in sex assault case involving 2 teens
Toni Yates has the story from Rockaway Township.

ROCKAWAY TOWNSHIP, New Jersey (WABC) -- A New Jersey police officer is facing sexual assault charges for his alleged actions involving two teenage girls.

Rockaway Township Police Officer Wilfredo Guzman faced Morris County Judge Michael Carlucci on the opposite side of the law.

He appeared by video, from jail in an inmate jumpsuit.

He's facing two counts of sexual assault, several counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

Monday, the officer made his first appearance to hear the accusations against him.

"It's difficult to face charges like these in the proper fashion," said Herbert Waldman, Guzman's attorney.

Guzman is accused of engaging in sex acts with two teenagers back in 2014 and 2015, when, investigators say, one girl was 15, the other 16 when the contact allegedly began.

He's also accused of supplying them with alcohol and prescription drugs.

He was arrested after a joint investigation between Rockaway Township Police and the prosecutor's office.

The officer lives less than two miles from his job. At his home, no one spoke to Eyewitness News. They had small bags packed, and they left.

Officer Guzman is being release with electronic monitoring.

"You'll have to wear a bracelet, no contact with the victims. You understand?" the judge said to Guzman.

His next court date has not been set.

"People are innocent until proven guilty, we hope his community will understand that," Waldman said.