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Chang L. Acuna, 40, of Garfield (above, left) and 60-year-old Victor J. Medina of Clifton (right) are each accused of sexually assaulting two of the girls. Acuna is also charged with molesting a third.
Authorities were contacted after a discussion among the trio about boys led to the older one talking about Acuna and the others disclosing additional offenses, prosecutors said.
The oldest girl then went to her parents, they said.
Although both men know one another and are familiar with the family, authorities said the cases are being prosecuted separately because the girls allege the offenses occurred at different times and in different ways.
Acuna’s alleged assaults occurred between February 2005 and September 2009, an indictment returned against him in Hackensack charges.
The oldest victim, now 20, told investigators that Acuna molested her and committed other acts no fewer than 10 times beginning when she was 10 years old.
A middle child said she was molested by Acuna for two years beginning when she was 8 in February 2005; the youngest girl alleged two years of offenses beginning a month later, when she was 6.
The girls said the assaults occurred while their mother was out of the country and they were in the care of their grandmother. Each time, they told investigators, Acuna entered their bedroom and “engaged in sexual conduct including digital penetration,” court papers say.
The middle girl said Acuna also assaulted her once while she was playing hide-and-seek in a closet.
Authorities said the middle and youngest girls’ descriptions involving Medina were different.
“He is alleged to have accosted the girls near the front door of their home and in similar more public places by hugging and touching them inappropriately over their clothing,” court papers say.
An indictment returned against Medina charges him with criminal sexual contact with the middle girl from April 2010 through September 2012 and sexual assault against the younger girl from March 2008 through September 2012.
“There is no overlap of time when both defendants are alleged to have committed sexual offenses against the same victims,” court papers say. “There is more than a three-year gap between [the middle girl’s] accusations against Acuna and those against Medina and more than a one-year gap between [the youngest girl’s] accusations against Acuna and her accusations against Medina.”
Both men also are charged with various counts of child endangerment.
Prosecutors have offered each plea deals of 20 years in state prison along with the standard conditions for sex offenders: Megan’s Law registration and supervision for life and restricted contact with the alleged victims and their families.
Acuna was given a June 15 trial date yesterday in Hackensack if a deal can’t be worked out. Medina was given a Sept. 8 date.
Acuna, who is married and was self-employed, remains held on $250,000 bail in the Bergen County Jail.
Medina was released on $125,000 bail six days after his Aug. 1, 2012 arrest.
MUGSHOTS: Courtesy BERGEN COUNTY SHERIFF
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