Summit Man, 51, Indicted on Child Sex Abuse Charges

A former Orchard Street resident was indicted last week on charges he sexually abused a young boy during a six-year period, according to Union County First Assistant Prosecutor Albert Cernadas Jr.

Jose Jimenez, 51, was indicted on August 3, on charges of first degree aggravated sexual assault, two counts of second degree sexual assault and second degree endangering the welfare of a child, according to the county prosecutor's office.  Jimenez could face a maximum of over 30 years in prison if convicted on all charges.  

Jimenez was arrested on Jan. 30 on a Grayhound Bus in New Mexico at the border with Mexico. He was initially questioned during an immigration inspection according to reports, and arrested on a warrant out of Summit. He was extradited to Union County and is being held on $300,000 bail, according to county officials.

Summit Police Detective Matthew Bunin helped launch the investigation in January after the boy, who was 8 years old when the alleged abuse began, according to investigators, spoke to his mother about the abuse. 

The boy's current age was not released by the prosecutor's office, but it was confirmed that he is a Union County resident.

The child sex abuse case remains an active investigation and the Union County Prosecutor's Office urges anyone with information to call Det. Brian O'Malley at (908) 965-3809.