North Jersey hairstylist charged with raping a client at his home

LINCOLN PARK — A 31-year-old hairdresser has been charged with raping one of his customers at his home in this borough.

Nicola S. Granata was charged this week with second-degree sexual assault and two counts of fourth-degree sexual contact.

Granata "engaged in acts of non-consensual sexual contact and penetration against" the woman at his house, Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp's office said Friday.

The woman went to Granata's house as a customer to have her hair done, authorities said.

Granata, who goes by "Nick," also works for a high-end salon in Totowa. Granata has been licensed by the State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling since 2008.

Knapp's office declined to disclose the victim's age and did not say when the assault occurred.

Granata's bail was set at $40,000 with a 10 percent option. He also was ordered by a Superior Court judge not to have contact with the victim.

He could face up to 10 years in prison if found guilty of the most serious charge.

Granata could not be reached for comment Friday and it was not clear whether he had an attorney.

Authorities ask anyone with information to call Det. Marshall Wang of the prosecutor's Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit at 973-285-6200, or the Lincoln Park police at 973-694-5533.