Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Salvador Storch, 49, of West Orange was found guilty by an Essex County jury of 10 counts arising from the sexual abuse of a young family member over a number of years.
The jury deliberated for 3 1/2 hours over two days before reaching a verdict. Assistant Prosecutor Tony Gutierrez, of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit, tried the case before the Honorable Peter V. Ryan, JSC.
The jury found Storch, a West Orange mechanic, guilty of three counts of first degree aggravated assault, three counts of second degree sexual assault by sexual contact and four counts of endangering the welfare of a child. He was acquitted of one count of terroristic threats.
“The victim bravely testified against this defendant who admitted to abusing her 30 to 40 times,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Gutierrez.
The defendant admitted to Detective Louis Mignone of the West Orange Police department that he was sexually abusing the victim from the age of 12 to 13. His DNA was found on her body and underwear but he essentially maintained that he was drunk at the time of the attacks and lacked the mental capacity to have the required criminal intent.
“I am pleased the jury rejected that defense,’’ said Gutierrez.
Storch is currently incarcerated at the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 20 before Judge Ryan.
“We will ask for a 60-year sentence,’’ said Gutierrez.
In addition to the state charges, Storch, who is a citizen of Mexico, faces deportation after he completes his prison sentence.
