Raelito Palao
Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes announces that Raelito Palao, age 62, of Belleville, New Jersey, was found guilty after a jury trial before the Honorable Marilyn C. Clark, J.S.C., of one count of second degree Sexual Assault, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2(b), two counts of fourth degree Criminal Sexual Contact, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-3(b), and three counts of third degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4(a)(1).
On June 12, 2013, the Clifton Police Department contacted the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit to report that an eleven-year-old child had been sexually assaulted in Clifton. Thereafter, Prosecutor’s Office detectives interviewed the victim and several witnesses, and learned there were two additional victims. Prosecutor’s Office detectives then interviewed the two additional victims who reported being sexually abused by Mr. Palao on different occasions between September 2005 and August 2007 at various locations in Clifton and between June 2012 and June 2013 at various locations in Clifton.
On May 4, 2023, a Passaic County petit jury convicted Mr. Palao on the above referenced charges. Judge Clark scheduled Mr. Palao’s sentencing hearing for September 5, 2023, at 10:00 AM, and remanded Mr. Palao to the custody of the Passaic County Jail pending sentence.
The sentencing exposure on second degree Sexual Assault, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2(b), is five to ten years in New Jersey State Prison with 85% of the term to be served before parole eligibility pursuant to the No Early Release Act; on fourth degree Criminal Sexual Contact, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-3(b), is up to eighteen months in New Jersey State Prison; and on third degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4(a)(1), it is three to five years in New Jersey State Prison.
Mr. Palao is subject to the Special Sentence of Parole Supervision for Life and Megan’s Law registration requirements.
Passaic County Assistant Prosecutor Melissa Simsen represented the State during the jury trial before Judge Clark and Mr. Palao was represented by Samantha Montalbano, Esq.