MORRISTOWN, NJ (Morris County) – Two people have been arrested and charged in connection with an alleged sexual assault that occurred Tuesday afternoon in Morristown, according to Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll.
On May 3, at around 3:41 p.m., on the Traction Line Recreation Trail in Morristown, two males approached a female and asked for money, Carroll said.
When the female victim did not provide money, one of the males pushed the victim to the ground and sexually assaulted her while the other male stood nearby. It is alleged that that male who pushed the victim to the ground was armed with a rock at the time he sexually assaulted her.
Thereafter, both suspects fled the area and they were unknown to the victim, Carroll said.
A 17-year-old boy, who wont be identified, and Lizandro Osorio-Mejia, 18, were arrested on Friday in connection with the above sexual assault, Carroll said.
“It should be noted that these arrests were effectuated within hours of the public release of identifying information by the authorities,” Carroll said.
The boy was charged with first-degree robbery (as an accomplice), second-degree conspiracy to commit robbery, and fourth-degree theft, Carroll said.
Osorio-Mejia was charged with two counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, second-degree sexual assault, two counts of third-degree aggravated criminal sexual contact, fourth-degree criminal sexual contact, first-degree robbery, second-degree conspiracy to commit robbery, fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, third-degree terroristic threats, third-degree aggravated assault, and fourth-degree theft, Carroll said.
Prosecutor Carroll commended CrimeStoppers for quickly offering a reward for information and the New Jersey State Police for composing the sketch.
Prosecutor Carroll said, “Thank you to all our law enforcement partners at the state, county and local levels, without whom such a through and swift investigation and arrests would not have been possible. I also thank the public and our local/regional media for their vigilance and helping to get the word out. It is this due diligence and communication that enables law enforcement to most effectively protect the public,” Carroll said.
“Prosecutor Carroll, Chief Richardson, Chief DiCarlo, and I agreed that this type of crime calls for pulling out all of the stops. The victim and the public deserve nothing less. After such a heinous crime, and especially when an imminent and public threat continues to be present, it is crucial to deliver a concerted and prompt response. This was done both to identify and apprehend the offenders, as well as to protect the people of Morris County until the danger is finally mitigated,” Morris County Sheriff James Gannonn said.
