Man Charged In March 2025 Home Invasion Robbery & Sexual Assault

Sunday, August 10, 2025, 7:30 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

PATERSON, NJ.- On Thursday, July 24, 2025, following a months-long investigation, a 27-year-old Paterson, New Jersey, man was taken into custody and jailed after being charged in connection with a home invasion robbery and knife-point sexual assault that occurred on March 26, 2025, in the City of Paterson, New Jersey.

     According to Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes, following a joint investigation by Detectives of the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and the Paterson Police Department, on Thursday, July 24, 2025, Jesus Mora Cruz, 27, of Paterson, New Jersey, was taken into custody without incident and criminally charged with the following offenses;

Charges Formally Filed Against Mora Cruz

     First-degree Attempted Murder; one count of second-degree Aggravated Assault; one count of third-degree Aggravated Assault; two counts of first-degree Aggravated Sexual Assault; two counts of third-degree Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact; one count of first-degree Robbery; first-degree Home Invasion Burglary; third-degree Terroristic Threats; third-degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose; and fourth-degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon.

     Mora Cruz was processed on the charges and was placed in the custody of the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office. On Wednesday, July 30, 2025, Mora Cruz appeared before Passaic County Superior Court Judge Marybel Mercado-Ramirez, who ordered him to remain detained pending trial.

     The charges stem from an investigation that began on March 26, 2025, when members of the Paterson Police Department contacted the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit regarding a report of an alleged home invasion, robbery, and sexual assault, and a joint investigation was launched.

Detectives Find Probable Cause To Charge Mora Cruz

     During the investigation, Detectives interviewed the victim and multiple witnesses. The victim reported being awoken by an unknown man on top of her, holding a knife to her neck. The man then proceeded to sexually assault her, physically assault her, and stole various items from her home, before leaving the residence. At that time, the woman was immediately transported to Saint Joseph’s University Medical Center, where she was treated for non-life-threatening stab wounds.

     During the course of the investigation, Detectives were able to identify Mora Cruz as the individual responsible for the home invasion and subsequent sexual and physical assaults.

     If convicted at trial, Mora Cruz faces decades in New Jersey State Prison and would be subject to parole supervision for life and be required to register as a sex offender.

“The rules of the court require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”