A northern New Jersey police officer has been charged with criminal sexual contact after prosecutors say he touched a woman during a traffic stop.
Essex County prosecutors say 34-year-old Orange police Officer Ricardo Arias-Vasquez allegedly pulled a woman over on Nov. 18 and touched her inappropriately.
He was charged with one third-degree count of criminal sexual contact with a victim over whom he had disciplinary power and witness tampering.
His bail was set at $25,000. His attorney wasn't immediately available to comment and a phone number listed for Arias-Vasquez was out of service.
Arias-Vasquez has worked for the Paterson police department, Essex County prosecutor's office and twice for the Orange department. He has been an Orange officer since June 2013.
He is scheduled to make his first court appearance on Dec. 30.
