Police departments in Morris County and Monmouth County collaborated to arrest a Long Branch NJ man accused of sexually assaulting a young girl.
According to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, authorities began investigating the 26-year-old suspect after the six-year-old victim told police that he had sexually penetrated her.
The investigation was led by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes Unit. Other agencies that assisted with the investigation included the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, the Dover Police Department, and the Lakewood Police Department.
The suspect was reportedly working as a home health aide at the time of his arrest. According to a press release issued by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, the suspect is also a reservist in the United State Marine Corps.
As of this time, it is not yet clear why Morris County authorities were involved in the investigation and arrest of the Long Branch suspect.
The suspect was arrested and charged with aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, and endangering the welfare of a child.
If the suspect is convicted of aggravated sexual assault, he could face significant penalties. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2a, a person is guilty of aggravated sexual assault if he sexually penetrates a victim who is less than 13 years old. In this case, the suspect could be sentenced to 10–20 years in New Jersey State Prison because aggravated sexual assault is classified as a first degree felony.
After being arrested, the suspect was taken to the Morris County Correctional Facility in Morristown. He is being held there on $150,000 bail.
The investigation remains ongoing. Authorities have asked that anyone with information about the suspect or the alleged incidents please call the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes Unit at 973-285-6200.
For more information, check out the NJ.com article entitled “Long Branch Man Accused of Sexually Assaulting 6-Year-Old Girl.”