Man Arrested for Sexually Assaulting 3 Year Old In NJ Firehouse

The mystery surrounding the closure of a Leonia, New Jersey firehouse last week to all but emergency activities has been solved with the arrest of an 18 year old man described a developmentally challenged who has been charged with sexually assaulting a 3 year old boy inside a station.

On Friday, Darius E. Levine was charged with second-degree sexual assault by sexual contact. He allegedly engaged in “inappropriate sexual activity with a 3-year-old male acquaintance”. The child told his father what occurred which led to a major investigation by police and prosecutors.

Levine remains in custody in lieu of $100,000 bail. His mother was quoted by NewJersey.com as saying “He didn’t understand what he was doing. That’s the only thing I can think of.”  She said Levine used to frequent the fire station, but was not a member of the Leonia Fire Department.

More on the story.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
x

Check Also

Volunteer Firefighter Charged With Public Records Violation

A volunteer firefighter in New York is facing criminal charges for allegedly giving himself and family members credit for emergency responses they did not go to. James P. Burns, 27, is accused of entering false information into Cutchogue Fire Department’s electronic record-keeping system on September 30, 2023.

Cincinnati Fire Facing Sexual Harassment and Retaliation Suit

A Cincinnati firefighter has filed suit alleging she was sexually harassed, assaulted by a lieutenant and a firefighter, and retaliated against when she reported the misconduct. Rebecca Bryant filed suit today against the city, former Lieutenant Harold Wright, and firefighter Damonte Brown as defendants.