Fort Lee Man Charged With Witness Tampering & Criminal Coercion

Saturday, July 12, 2025, 7:45 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

FORT LEE, NJ.- A 58-year-old Fort Lee, New Jersey, man, who is currently being detained in the Bergen County Jail in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a New York City child, was additionally charged on Tuesday with witness tampering in connection with coercing the child to recant her testimony involving the sexual assaults.

     As previously reported by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, on Saturday, February 23, 2025, the New York City Police contacted the Fort Lee Department about a missing child from New York City who was believed to be in the Fort Lee, New Jersey, area. 

     Subsequently, members of the Fort Lee Police Department were able to locate the missing child, who was between the ages of thirteen and sixteen years old, at the residence of Marc Piovanetti, 58, of Fort Lee, New Jersey. The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit was notified, and a joint investigation was launched with the Fort Lee Police Department.

     During the investigation, Detectives determined that Piovanetti, a stranger to the child, engaged in a conversation with her on a social media application and made arrangements to meet. Poivanetti provided the child with marijuana and sexually assaulted the child in his residence between Saturday, February 22, 2025, and Sunday, February 23, 2025. As a result of the investigation, Piovanetti was taken into custody in Fort Lee, New Jersey, and jailed after being charged with multiple counts of sexual assault, luring, and child endangerment offenses. After making his initial court appearance, a Bergen County Superior Court Judge ordered Piovanetti to remain detained pending trial.

Detectives Uncover That Piovanetti Is Contacting The Victim

     Since the February 2025 arrest, Detectives determined that Piovanetti violated provisions of a judicial order issued in the case by having direct and indirect contact with the child and a co-defendant involved in the case between April and May 2025.

Additional Charges Filed

     On Tuesday, July 8, 2025, as a result of the ongoing investigation, Detectives additionally charged Piovanetti with third-degree Witness Tampering; third-degree Criminal Coercion; fourth-degree Contempt of Court; and a Disorderly Persons Offense of Contempt of Court. Piovanetti was served and processed on the charges at the Bergen County Jail in Hackensack, New Jersey, where he is currently detained on the initial sex crime charges.

“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.”