McGuire Announces Arrest of Man Sought for Sexual Abuse of a 5 Year Old
HACKENSACK: Bergen County Sheriff Leo P. McGuire today announced the arrest of James Campagna, DOB: 9/29/58, of 226 Chatam Ave., Paterson, New Jersey on September 10, 2008.
The arrest came as a result of an investigation conducted by members of the Bergen Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Squad, under the direction of Chief William Broughton, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Chief Joseph Macellaro, the Saddle Brook Police Department, under the direction of Chief Robert Kugler, and the Paterson Police Department, under the direction of Police Director Michael C. Walker.
The charges stemmed from an investigation conducted in November of 2007 by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Squad related to incidents of Aggravated Sexual Assault that occurred between James Campagna and a five (5) year old victim in Saddle Brook, New Jersey in 1995 and 1996. Efforts to locate Campagna were previously unsuccessful, and he was subsequently entered into the NCIC (National Crime Information Center) database as a Wanted Person.
Detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Squad contacted Detectives Chris Lewicki and Brian Kelly of the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit on September 5, 2008 and requested their assistance in locating James Campagna. Given the heinous nature of the allegations, Detectives Lewicki and Kelly immediately focused their attention and resources in bringing Campagna to justice. After a lengthy investigation, Sheriff's Fugitive Squad Detectives Lewicki and Kelly were able to develop a lead and discovered a potential address for Campagna in Paterson, New Jersey.
On Wednesday, September 10, 2008 Detectives Lewicki and Kelly conducted a surveillance operation in the area of 226 Chatam Avenue, Paterson, New Jersey. Four (4) hours into the surveillance, the detectives finally got the break they had been hoping for, as James Campagna briefly glanced out the window of a second floor bedroom within the residence. Detectives Lewicki and Kelly immediately radioed for back-up, and Detectives Edward Brunner and Joseph Nieciecki of the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office responded to the address shortly thereafter.
With back-up units in place and after speaking with individuals on the first floor, Detectives Lewicki and Kelly were able to gain entry into the residence located at 226 Chatam Avenue. Moments later, detectives located Campagna hiding in the second floor bedroom of the residence and he was subsequently placed under arrest without incident. He was then transported to the Bergen County Jail and lodged pending a first appearance Bergen County Central Municipal Court.
Bail was set at $250, 000/ no 10% option by the Honorable Judge Patrick Roma J.S.C. In addition, Campagna was ordered to forfeit his passport and have no contact with the victim.
Sheriff McGuire would like to thank the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, as well as the Saddle Brook and Paterson Police Departments for their assistance in this investigation.
CHARGE INFORMATION FORM
DEFENDANT: JAMES CAMPAGNA DOB: 09/29/58
LAST KNOWN ADDRESS: 226 CHATAM AVENUE, PATERSON, NJ
MARITAL STATUS: SEPARATED
PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: UNEMPLOYED
ARREST INFORMATION
FUGITIVE: X NON FUGITIVE:
ORIGINATING AGENCY: SADDLE BROOK POLICE DEPARTMENT/ BERGEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE
DATE AND TIME OF ARREST: 9/10/08 10:45 PM
AGENCIES AFFECTING ARREST: BERGEN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
CHARGE AND STATUTE CITATIONS
AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ASSAULT NJSA 2C:35-5-1(14-2)
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