Morris County man sentenced to 40 years in prison for kidnapping, sexual assault, other charges
MORRISTOWN, NJ (Morris County) – A Morris County man has been sentenced to 40 years in prison following his conviction at trial for kidnapping and sexual assault, according to Morris County Acting Prosecutor Maggie Calderwood.
Jesse Meneses, 38, of Dover was sentenced on June 28 to an aggregate sentence of 40 years in New Jersey State Prison, with approximately 32 years, 3 months of parole ineligibility subject to the No Early Release Act. He was also required to register with Megan’s Law and will be on Parole Supervision for Life, Calderwood said.
On Feb. 2, a jury found Meneses 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, third-degree terroristic threats, third-degree witness tampering and third-degree conspiracy to commit witness tampering. He was detained at the Morris County Correctional Facility pending his sentencing, Calderwood said.
The charges arose from an incident that occurred on Sept. 5, 2021, in Randolph Township, wherein Meneses sexually assaulted his ex-girlfriend in his vehicle, Calderwood said.
Additionally, he transported and confined her from Randolph Township, through Victory Gardens, and ultimately to Dover, where she was able to escape and report Meneses to the police, Calderwood 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, Calderwood said.
Between April 2022 and Oct. 2022, Meneses communicated with family members about contacting the victim to have her change her version of events or withdraw the criminal action, Calderwood said.
The Dover Police Department, the Randolph Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Department, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes & Child Endangerment Unit assisted in the investigation.
