2NORTH BERGEN, NJ – A 43-year-old man has been arrested and charged with kidnapping and sexually assaulting a juvenile following an investigation by the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit.

New Jersey is a sanctuary state under New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy.

Jesus Ruiz Merino was taken into custody at his North Bergen residence Thursday and is being held at the Hudson County Correctional Center pending a court appearance.

Investigators say the arrest stems from an incident earlier this week involving a 14-year-old girl who reported being abducted and assaulted by an unknown man.

Authorities said the juvenile was approached near 60th Street and Bergenline Avenue in West New York before being driven to a Route 3 motel in Secaucus.

Prosecutor outlines multiple charg

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