Alvarez
MONTICELLO – A 35-year-old Union City, New Jersey man faces up
to seven years in state prison when sentenced in December after being
convicted in Sullivan County Court on Thursday to two counts of felony
sexual abuse. County Court Judge Michael McGuire presided over the case.
Following a four-day trial, the jury deliberated for one hour or so before
returned the verdict in the case in which Jefferson Alvarez subjected
the 11-year-old female victim to sexual contact at a home in Monticello
back in August 2013.
Alvarez was arrested after the child told her mother about the abuse and
she notified the Monticello Police, who investigated the allegations.
At trial, Alvarez maintained he was not guilty by reason of insanity,
but the jury rejected that defense.
District Attorney James Farrell asked Judge McGuire to continue him without
bail or on $100,000 bail as Alvarez is a resident alien from Columbia
might flee.
At a bail hearing held Friday, Judge McGuire raised his current bail from
$15,000 to $30,000 and ordered his passport be surrendered.
“It certainly took courage for this child to testify in court about
what the defendant did to her and we are extremely pleased that the jury
rejected the defendant’s alleged defense of insanity and, now, as
a result, the defendant will be held accountable and responsible for abusing
the child.”
Chief Assistant DA Robert Zangla prosecuted the case.
