Columbia University vice president charged for assaulting 11-year-old girl
Marcelo Velez sexually assaulted an 11-year-old girl in his house and then proceeded to play a round of golf.
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Marcelo Velez sexually assaulted an 11-year-old girl in his house and then proceeded to play a round of golf.
The vice president of Columbia University has been charged for assaulting an 11-year-old girl in his house. According to the New York Post, Marcelo Velez, 56, of Woodcliff Lake, NJ, was arrested Monday.
The assault allegedly took place on January 2, inside a guest room. According to court records, Velez went golfing following the assault of the child. Police were tipped off and began an investigation on Sunday. There is currently no known relationship between the child and Velez, who has also been charged with endangering the child.
Velez serves as the vice president for Columbia's Manhattanville development. Their site lists him as the "point person on all aspects of development, design and construction of the University’s 6.8 million square foot Manhattanville in West Harlem campus expansion." Velez has worked at the University since 1995.
"We have placed Mr. Velez on administrative leave and will cooperate fully with law enforcement officials investigating this matter," a university spokesperson said in a statement.
Velez is currently in Bergen County Jail awaiting his court appearance. At this time, there is still no hearing scheduled.
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