Prosecutors Say The Victim Was 15 Years Old When The Alleged Crimes Occurred In Jersey City
Thursday, February 19, 2026, 5:45 P.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
JERSEY CITY, NJ.- A Woodbridge, New Jersey, man employed as a Hudson County social worker has been arrested and charged in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl, according to Hudson County Prosecutor Wayne Mello.
Prosecutor Mello announced that on Thursday, February 19, 2026, members of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit arrested Tejas Patel, 46, of Woodbridge, New Jersey, on multiple sex-crime charges involving a juvenile victim.
Patel is charged with second-degree Sexual Assault; and third-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
According to prosecutors, the alleged crimes occurred on various dates throughout 2024 in Jersey City, New Jersey, when the victim was 15 years old.
Allegations And Investigation;
Authorities state that Patel allegedly met the juvenile victim through the social media platform Snapchat. Investigators allege that after establishing contact online, Patel engaged in criminal sexual conduct with the minor.
At the time of the alleged offenses, Patel was employed by the Hudson County Department of Family Services, an agency responsible for providing social services and protections to vulnerable populations, including children and families.
Prosecutor Mello emphasized that the case was investigated by the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit, which specializes in crimes involving sexual assault, child abuse, and domestic violence.
Arrest And Custody Status;
Patel was arrested at the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office in Secaucus and subsequently transported to the Hudson County Correctional Facility, where he remains held pending his first court appearance.
If convicted, the second-degree sexual assault charge carries a potential sentence of five to ten years in New Jersey state prison, while the third-degree endangering charge is punishable by three to five years. Additional consequences could include mandatory parole supervision, sex-offender registration requirements, and restrictions on future employment.
Public Safety And Reporting;
Prosecutor Mello urged anyone who may have information related to this case, or who believes they may be a victim of a sex crime, to contact the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit at 201-915-1234.
Editor’s Note:
This article was written by Art Fletcher, Executive Editor, and is based exclusively on official information released by the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office. Englebrook Independent News does not identify juvenile victims of sexual offenses. All criminal charges described herein are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
