A New Jersey man was arrested about 125 miles west of Bergen County recently and charged with sexual assault on a Pennsylvania teenager.
The 22-year-old is from Glassboro, New Jersey, and is described as a friend of the teen's family. She is 14 years old, law enforcement officials said.
Berks County, Pennsylvania, officials launched an investigation last month after getting a report of an alleged sexual assault involving a juvenile.
During the investigation, detectives said they learned that the girl was abused in her family's home between January of 2002 and April of 2007. The girl was five to nine years old during that period.
County detectives interviewed the girl, with the aid of children's advocates. A media source reports that in the course of the interview, the girl told investigators of the alleged abuse.
In late May, law enforcement officers obtained a warrant listing a number of charges against the man, including rape of a child, aggravated indecent assault, involuntary sexual intercourse with a child, indecent assault and indecent exposure.
The suspect was taken into custody in Elk Township, a little over 100 miles south of Bergen County, a couple of days later, pending extradition. About a week later, he waived extradition and was taken back to Pennsylvania, where he awaits arraignment.
Anyone facing these kinds of serious sex crime charges is also facing a likely prison sentence if they're convicted on the charges. They would also be labeled a sex offender after their release from incarceration.
The seriousness of the charges requires a serious legal response by an
effective attorney experienced in successfully defending clients against
sex crime allegations.
Source: berksmontnews.com, "County detectives arrest New Jersey man for Douglassville
teen sexual abuse," June 8, 2012