MORRISTOWN, NJ (Morris County) – A jury has found a man, formerly of Dover, guilty on all charges related to kidnapping and aggravated sexual assault that occurred on Sept. 5, 2021, in Randolph Township, Victory Gardens, and Dover, according to Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll.
The jury returned a guilty verdict on Feb. 2, following a six-day trial, Carroll said.
Jessie Meneses, 37, was found guilty of two counts of first-degree kidnapping, three counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, three counts of second-degree sexual assault, three counts of third-degree aggravated criminal sexual contact, three counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact, one count of third-degree terroristic threats, one count of third-degree conspiracy to commit witness tampering and third-degree witness tampering.
The charges arose from an incident that occurred on Sept. 5, 2021, in Randolph Township, where Meneses sexually assaulted his ex-girlfriend in his vehicle. Additionally, he transported and confined her from Randolph Township through Victory Gardens, and ultimately to Dover, where she was able to escape and report him to police, Carroll said.
Members of the Dover and Randolph Police Departments and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes & Child Endangerment Unit investigated the incident after being notified of the victim’s disclosure, Carroll said.
Then on or between April 1, 2022 through Oct. 5, 2022, Meneses communicated with family members about contacting the victim to have her change her version of events or withdraw the criminal action, Carroll said.
Meneses is scheduled to be sentenced on for March 8 and he will remain in custody until that time.
At sentencing, the kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault and sexual assault convictions are subject to the No Early Release Act (NERA), which make the defendant ineligible for parole until he has served 85% of the sentence imposed.
