Orange police officer is charged with sexual contact

ORANGE, NJ — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced on Thursday, Dec. 3, that Orange Police Officer Ricardo A. Arias-Vasquez, 34, of Hampton, has been charged with criminal sexual contact and witness tampering for touching a woman during a routine traffic stop. The alleged incident occurred on Wednesday, Nov. 18. While on duty, Arias-Vasquez allegedly pulled the woman over and touched her inappropriately. He is charged with one count of criminal sexual contact with a victim over whom he had disciplinary power, a third-degree offense. He is also charged with one count of witness tampering, also a third-degree offense.

Arias-Vasquez worked for the Paterson Police Department from May 2007 to April 2011, when he was laid off. He worked for the Orange Police Department from October 2011 to July 2012. He joined the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office in July 2012 and stayed until June 2013, when he returned to Orange.

On Thursday, Dec. 3, Arias-Vasquez surrendered with his attorney at the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office in Newark. Bail was set at $25,000 by the Superior Court Judge Peter Ryan. Arias-Vasquez is scheduled to make his first court appearance before Ryan on Wednesday, Dec. 30. These are accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they enter a guilty plea or are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The investigation is active and ongoing. Anyone with information should contact the Professional Standards Bureau of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office 862-520-3700.