In the early hours of September 17, 2024, Weehawken, New Jersey, 27-year-old Dennis Hackett was arrested following allegations of sexual assault. The incident reportedly took place at Hackett’s residence in the upscale Port Imperial area, leading to a swift response from local law enforcement.
The Weehawken Police Department was alerted to the crime shortly before 2 a.m. after receiving a distress call from within an apartment complex. Upon arrival, officers encountered a female victim who detailed a harrowing ordeal of physical and sexual assault at the hands of Hackett. The immediate investigation led to Hackett’s identification and subsequent arrest.
Hackett faces a litany of charges from both the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and the Weehawken Police. These include Sexual Assault, Criminal Sexual Contact, and Simple Assault. His behavior during the arrest further complicated his legal troubles, as he was additionally charged with Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer, Throwing Bodily Fluids at a Police Officer, Resisting Arrest, and Criminal Restraint.
This case has drawn significant attention due to the severity of the charges and the implications for community safety in what is typically considered a quiet area of Weehawken. Prosecutor Esther Suarez commended the collaborative efforts between the Special Victims Unit and local police, emphasizing the importance of swift justice in cases of sexual violence.
Hackett is currently detained at the Hudson County Correctional Facility, with his detention hearing scheduled for September 23, 2024. This hearing will determine if he remains in custody or is released pending trial, a decision that has the community on edge given the nature of the allegations.
Anyone with additional information or similar experiences is encouraged to contact the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit, as the pursuit of justice in this case continues to unfold.