RARITAN BOROUGH, NJ (Somerset County) – A Texas man has been arrested in relation to the sexual abuse of two girls which occurred in Raritan Borough, according to Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald
Janakiraman Somasundaram, 41, Celina was charged with three counts of second-degree sexual assault by sexual contact, two counts of third-degree endangering the welfare of a minor and fourth-degree criminal sexual contact.
The Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes/Child Abuse Unit was notified by a family member on June 19 of a 12-year-old girl who reported being sexually assaulted by Somasundaram, who was known to the family, McDonald said.
The girl stated that she was sexually assaulted by Somasundaram on three occasions between the ages of 8 to 11, McDonald said.
Then on June 23, a 15-year-old girl was identified and an interview was conducted by a detective assigned to the investigation. The second girl disclosed two instances of sexual contact by Somasundaram that occurred while she was 15-years-old in Raritan Borough, McDonald said.
A further investigation revealed that Somasundaram had relocated to Texas. On Wednesday, July 5 he was apprehended without incident at his residence in Celina, Texas by members of the Celina Police Department who were assisting New Jersey authorities, McDonald said.
Somasundaram subsequently waived extradition from Texas and was transported to New Jersey on Tuesday, July 18, where he was lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing, McDonald said.
Anyone with information relating to the sexual assaults to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes/Child Abuse Unit at 908-231-7100 or the Raritan Borough Police Department at 908-725-6200 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.
