CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE — An Erma man has been charged with aggravated sexual assault of a minor following a joint investigation.
Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland and Middle Township Police Chief Tracey Super announced the arrest of Eric Hazel, 52, of the 900 block of Lenape Drive.
On June 16, the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit, in collaboration with the Middle Township Police Department, initiated an investigation after receiving a report of the alleged sexual assault of a minor.
Hazel was arrested June 17 and charged with Aagravated sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child. He was processed and lodged in the Cape May County Jail pending further court proceedings.
Under state law, a conviction for a first-degree crime typically carries a sentencing range of 10 to 20 years in state prison. However, this case is subject to the provisions of the Jessica Lunsford Act, and Hazel faces a mandatory sentence of 25 years to life and would have to serve a minimum of 25 years without the possibility of parole.
