An area man has been arrested and charged with committing sexual crimes against two children, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced on Monday.
Raul F. Lopez, a/k/a Lee Escobar, 45, of Long Branch, has been charged with first-degree aggravated sexual assault, second-degree sexual assault, two counts of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and fourth-degree criminal sexual contact.
An investigation led by the Long Branch Police Department revealed that the alleged sexual assaults by Escobar involved two victims: a girl who was under the age of 13 when the crimes against her began, occurring on numerous occasions from 2020 into 2023; and a boy who was under the age of 16 when crimes against him were committed in 2023.
Escobar was taken into custody after turning himself in to authorities at Long Branch Police Department headquarters earlier this month.
He was held in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution (MCCI) pending a detention hearing on Friday, Nov. 21, at which time Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Vincent N. Falcetano, Jr. granted the state’s motion to keep him detained as the case against him proceeds.
Anyone with information about Escobar’s activities is being urged to contact Long Branch Police Department Detective David Stone at 732-222-1000.
— Edited press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office
- Prosecutor: Area Man Indicted on Witness Retaliation Charge in Murder Trial
- Prosecutor: 24-Year-Old Area Man Indicted on Attempted Murder, Weapons Charges
- R-FH Area Friday: Buoy Tree, RFH Grads’ Book Signing, Holiday Stroll and Santa
- In Memoriam: Red Bank Resident, Amy Donington, 59
- Retro RFHers’ Cool Campus Hangout
You must be logged in to post a comment.