NJ Resident Held Against Will, Assaulted In Hotel: Prosecutor

MAHWAH, NJ — A New York man is charged after physically and sexually assaulting a victim while holding them against their will in a Mahwah hotel room, according to the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office .

Gustavo R. Gonzalez, 25, of Middletown, New York, is charged with sexual assault, criminal sexual contact, criminal restraint, making terroristic threats, simple assault and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

Mahwah Police contacted the Prosecutor's Office Special Victims Unit on Tuesday after the victim, who was not identified, reported "being held against their will" and being "physically and sexually assaulted" by Gonzalez.

An investigation found that Gonzalez initially assault the victim while they were in his vehicle. Gonzalez then brought them to a Mahwah hotel, where he "sexually and physically assaulted the victim," the Prosecutor's Office said.

The victim attempted to leave the hotel, but Gonzalez restrained them and threatened them with a weapon, authorities said. However, they were eventually able to escape, and called 911. Mahwah police responded to the scene following the emergency call, but Gonzalez had fled the area, officials said.

Criminal warrants were issued for Gonzalez on Tuesday, and he turned himself in at the Mahwah Police Department on Friday with his attorney present. He is held in Bergen County Jail, pending a first appearance in court.

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