Child sexual abuse charges filed against Lakewood suspect

Allegations of repeated sexual assaults on a 10-year-old land a Lakewood man behind bars.

Margarito Quiroz Lopez, 51, was charged Tuesday with sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child and ordered held on $100,000 full bail, according to information from the office of Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato.

Investigators contend that Lopez and the alleged victim knew each other, and that the incidents occurred multiple times at his dwelling on Columbus Avenue. The arrest took place at Lakewood Police Headquarters, authorities said.

Judge Wendel Daniels in Ocean County Superior Court also implemented Nicole's Law and ordered Lopez to avoid contact with the victim.

Authorities say that they notified the Division of Child Protection and Permanency to tend to the preteen, and corresponded with the U.S. Department of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to determine Lopez's residency status.