NEWARK POLICE OFFICER KARON BELL CHARGED WITH SEX CRIME INVOLVING FEMALE UBER DRIVER

Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has released the following information:

The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit has charged a Newark Police Officer with a sex crime against a female Uber driver.

Karon Bell, 23, of Newark, was charged with one count of Criminal Sexual Contact in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-3b, a crime of the fourth degree. He was arrested by the Newark Police Department Office of Professional Standards on Friday, February 11, 2022 and then taken into custody by the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit. Bell was released on a summons and is scheduled to make his first court appearance on Friday, February 25, 2022.

On Saturday, December 11, 2021, a 36-year-old woman reported to the Kearny Police Department that she was the victim of a sex crime while working as an Uber driver. The victim told police she had never met the suspect before and that he identified himself as a Police Officer. An investigation by the Special Victims Unit identified Bell, who off duty at the time, as the suspect wanted in connection with the incident.

Prosecutor Suarez credited the Special Victims Unit with the investigation and thanked the Kearny Police Department and Newark Police Department for their assistance. Anyone wishing

to report a sex crime should call the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit (SVU) at 201-915-1234.

The above charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. R.P.C.3.6(b)(6)