Marcelo Apaza-Herrera
Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Passaic Police Chief Luis A. Guzman announce the arrest of Marcelo Apaza-Herrera, 45 years old, of Paterson, New Jersey. Mr. Apaza-Herrera was charged on March 31, 2024 after an investigation conducted by the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and the Passaic Police Department.
Mr. Apaza-Herrera is charged with one count of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2(a)(7)(a); one count of second-degree sexual assault, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2(c)(1); and one count of third-degree aggravated criminal sexual contact, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-3(b). It is alleged that on March 30, 2024, Mr. Apaza-Herrera sexually assaulted two women at a residence in Passaic while they were both incapacitated. On that same date, at approximately 10:00 a.m., Mr. Apaza-Herrera was arrested by members of the the Passaic Police Department in the area of Market Street and Hudson Street in Passaic, New Jersey.
The sentencing exposure on a first-degree aggravated sexual assault is 10 to 20 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 a second degree sexual assault, it is 5 to 10 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 thirddegree aggravated criminal sexual contact, it is 3 to 5 years in New Jersey State Prison. If convicted, Mr. Apaza-Herrera would be to subject Megan’s Law registration requirements and Parole Supervision for Life.
Mr. Apaza-Herrera is currently in custody at the Bergen County Jail. The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office has filed a motion for pretrial detention, which will be scheduled before a superior court judge.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office asks anyone with additional information about this incident or other incidents regarding this individual to contact us on our tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO.