Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and East Hanover Township Police Chief Christopher F. Cannizzo announce that Gerardo Patrizio, 65, of East Hanover, New Jersey, has been charged with Aggravated Sexual Assault, Sexual Assault, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
It is alleged that between March 1, 2022, and March 1, 2024, the defendant performed multiple sexual acts with a child. The incident remains under investigation and no further information will be released at this time. The identity of the victim will not be released.
As a result of the investigation, the defendant has been charged with three counts of first degree Aggravated Sexual Assault in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2(a)(1), three counts of second degree Sexual Assault in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2(b), and one count of second degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4(a)(1). In accordance with state law, the defendant’s arrest photograph will not be released.
Pursuant to the Criminal Justice Reform Act, the defendant has been detained in the Morris County Correctional Facility pending future court proceedings.
Numerous law enforcement agencies have participated in this investigation, including members of the East Hanover Township Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit.
Anyone with information about this incident or other incidents involving the defendant is encouraged to call the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit at (973) 285-6200.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite these accusations, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
