A Vineland man sobbed Monday as he was ordered held in the sexual assault of an 11-year-old girl.
“I didn’t do nothing wrong,” Jorge Vega told his attorney before breaking down following the judge’s decision.
Vega, 39, is accused of giving the girl liquor while he was watching her and her sister at their Buena Borough home in March of 2018, and then having her lie on top of him naked, according to a statement she gave police this past March.
The man and girl’s mother had an “on-again, off-again relationship” and that the mother “routinely made a habit of calling police on him when she gets angry,” defense attorney Lauren Musarra said.
He is now engaged to another woman.
Vega has a extensive criminal history that includes serious crimes and lengthy prison terms, Superior Court Judge Bernard DeLury pointed out in making his decision.
He said the state's evidence at this point does not include any physical or forensic evidence corroborating the victim's claims, but that Vega's release would pose a danger to the girl.
When Vega learned of the allegations, “he was very much shocked,” Musarra said. “He was distressed and, frankly, denied absolutely and outright that he would ever harm this child.”
The girl was like a daughter to him, she said.
Vega allegedly kissed the girl on the mouth while she was on top of him naked and told her she would have a boyfriend soon and that “this will hurt,” Assistant Prosecutor Rick McKelvey said in court.
The girl got off of him, worried he would try to have sex with her, the affidavit claims.
Vega shook his head several times during the hearing, and could be heard sniffling.
Prior offenses of serious degree and legnthn rison terms
no physical or forensice evien at this time
He is currently in the Salem County jail.
