Man arrested in connection with 3 Essex County rapes, 1 attempted rape

NEWARK (WABC) -- Police have arrested a man in connection with three sexual assaults and one attempted sexual assault in Newark and Irvington between June and December of 2015.

Kervin Joseph Michel, 35, of Newark, is now charged with multiple counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, aggravated assault, kidnapping, burglary, terroristic threats, criminal restraint, endangering the welfare of a child and unlawful possession of a weapon.

Authorities say Michel sexually assaulted a 13-year-old child on June 6, 2015 at her home in Newark. In that incident, he is charged with eight counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, burglary, endangering the welfare of a child and unlawful possession of a weapon. Bail for that incident was set at $300,000.

He is also accused of sexually assaulting a 29-year-old woman at her home in Irvington on November 2, 2015. In that attack, Michel is charged with first-degree aggravated sexual assault, kidnapping and terroristic threats. Bail was set at $750,000.

Michel is also charged with the November 4, 2015, sexual assault of a 21-year-old woman in Irvington. In that incident, prosecutors say an infant was in the home and the victim's boyfriend returned to the house and was attacked by Michel. In that case, Michel is charged with kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault, aggravated assault and criminal restraint. Bail was set at $750,000.

Finally, on December 13, 2015, it is alleged that Michel attempted to sexually assault a fourth woman in Newark. In that case, police say he forced himself into her car when she went to a gas station convenience store to purchase something and took her to another location, where he attempted to rape her. He is charged with attempted sexual assault, kidnapping and terroristic threats.

Police say he left behind a knife and some clothes when he allegedly raped the 13-year-old girl, and that those items led to him being identified. The victim in that case, they say, was also able to make a positive ID on the suspect.

Authorities are searching for any additional victims, and anyone with information is asked to call police.