Muniru Owe
Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes announces that Muniru Owe, age 74, of Paterson,
New Jersey, was found guilty after a jury trial before the Honorable Marybel Mercado-Ramirez,
J.S.C. of one count of second-degree sexual assault, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2(b); one count
of endangering the welfare of a child, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4(a)(1); and one count of
attempted sexual assault, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2(c) and N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1.
On January 7, 2020, Haledon Police Department received a report of a 20-year-old woman having
been sexual assaulted by Mr. Owe when she was approximately five to six years old, between 2004-
2006. Subsequently, a second woman came forward to report being sexually assaulted by Mr. Owe
from between 2006 and 2008, when she was approximately 19 to 22 years old. Both victims were
sexually abused at a residence in Haledon.
On February 24, 2025, a Passaic County petit jury convicted Mr. Owe on all counts submitted for
their consideration. Judge Ramirez scheduled Mr. Owe’s sentencing hearing for June 27, 2025, at
9:00 a.m., and remanded Mr. Owe to the custody of the Bergen County Jail pending sentence.
The sentencing exposure on a second-degree sexual assault in which the victim is under the age of
thirteen, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2(b), is five to ten years in New Jersey State Prison with 85%
of the term to be served before parole eligibility pursuant to the No Early Release Act; on a second-degree attempted sexual assault, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2(c) and N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1, it is five
to ten years in New Jersey State Prison; on a third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, in
violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4(a)(1), it is three to five years in New Jersey State Prison.
Mr. Owe is subject to the Special Sentence of Parole Supervision for Life and Megan’s Law
registration requirements.
Passaic County Assistant Prosecutor Monica Martini represented the State during the jury trial
before Judge Ramirez. Mr. Owe was represented by Peter Festa, Esq.
