Austin Hopler
Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and West Milford Township Police Chief James Devore announce the arrest of Austin Hopler, 25, of West Milford, New Jersey. Mr. Hopler was arrested on January 9, 2023, after an investigation conducted by the West Milford Police Department and the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit.
On June 6, 2022, the West Milford Township Police Department received a report of an alleged sexual assault of a 25 year old woman, which occurred within a township residence after an event held at the home. The investigation led to Hopler being charged with one count of second-degree Sexual Assault in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2C(1) and one count of fourth-degree Criminal Sexual Contact in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-3B.
The sentencing exposure is five to ten years in New Jersey State Prison on second-degree Sexual Assault, and eighteen months in New Jersey State Prison for fourth-degree Criminal Sexual Contact.
On January 13, 2023, the Hon. Marybel Mercado-Ramirez, J.S.C. granted the State’s motion for pretrial detention, and Hopler will remain in the custody of the Passaic County Jail pending the resolution of the case.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite the accusation, defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, in a court of law.