Lakewood Man Admits Sex Assault on Child, 10

Bonifacio Juan Huerta, 43, of Lakewood (Photo: Ocean County Jail)

A Lakewood man admitted guilt this week in the sexual assault of a child, starting when the victim was 10 years old. The abuse occurred until the child was 12 years old, prosecutors said.

Bonifacio Juan Huerta, 43, pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of second degree sexual assault, though he will be sentenced in the third degree range, said Al Della Fave, spokesman for the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office. The state is seeking a five-year sentence while defense attorneys are asking for a three year sentence. Regardless, Huerta will have to serve 85 percent of his sentence under the state’s No Early Release Act and register as a sex offender under Meghan’s Law.

Huerta engaged in “inappropriate sexual touching” of his victim between June 2011 and May 2014, Della Fave said. The incidents occurred in Lakewood.

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A sentencing date will be set after Huerta is evaluated by counselors at the Avenel correctional facility for sex offenders.