Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury convicted Jean Joseph, 39, of Irvington of sexually assaulting a 6-year-old girl.
In April of 2010 when the crime occurred, the child was in the defendant’s home because the defendant’s mother was babysitting. Joseph brought the child to a secluded bedroom in the house away from the other children being cared for at the time and asked the little girl to put his penis in her mouth.
Today, the jury deliberated approximately 30 minutes before returning a verdict finding Joseph guilty of 1st degree aggravated sexual assault by oral penetration; 2nd degree sexual contact; and two counts of 3rd degree endangering the welfare of a child.
“This defendant selected this little girl because she had only been in this country for six months and did not speak English. He mistakenly thought she would not tell or if she told no one would believe her,’’ Assistant Prosecutor Tara Creegan said. “Fortunately, not only did her parents and authorities believe her, but 12 jurors believed her as well.’’
The defendant faces 20 years in prison when he is sentenced on Sept. 24, before the Honorable Michael L. Ravin, J.S.C. Sentencing will not occur until after he is evaluated at the Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center in Avenel.
