Man Sentenced to 35 Years in Prison for Sexually Assaulting Young Girl

Newark– Acting Essex County Prosecutor’s Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that Jose Santana, 60, of Belleville was sentenced to 35 years in New Jersey State prison by the Honorable Martin Cronin, Judge of the Superior Court, for sexually assaulting a 9-year-old little girl.

On Nov. 15, 2019 Santana was convicted by an Essex County jury of three counts of aggravated sexual assault, two counts of sexual assault, one count of possession of child pornography and one count of endangering the welfare of a child. Sentencing was delayed because of the pandemic. Santana has been incarcerated awaiting sentencing.

On Friday, Oct, 15 Judge Cronin sentenced Santana to 35 years. Under the No Early Release Act, he must serve 85 percent of his sentence before he will be eligible for parole.

“Hopefully, this will give closure to the family and this little girl will be able to rest easy knowing her brave actions will prevent him from hurting her or anyone else in the future,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Peter C. Polidoro, who tried the case with Assistant Prosecutor Tony Gutierrez.

The assaults occurred on multiple occasions while the little girl was visiting Santana and his wife at their Belleville residence.

In addition to sexually assaulting the victim, Santana forced her to watch child pornography while the sexual assaults occurred. When officers executed a search warrant at the defendant’s home, they discovered child pornography on his computer.

“I hope that this sentence of 35 years sends a clear message that sexual abuse of a child will not be tolerated and will be punished severely,” said Assistant Prosecutor Gutierrez.

Prosecutor Stephens lauded the ECPO’s Special Victims Unit and the forensic investigation unit, Wynona’s House and the Belleville Police Department for bringing this case to a successful conclusion.

Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Jeffrey Holland, 30, of East Orange of triple murder for the killing of Tiniquah Rouse, 21, Ashley Jones, 23, and Jarrell Marshall, 28.

Following a trial before the Honorable Ronald D. Wigler, the presiding Essex County Criminal Division Judge, the jury deliberated for a day before convicting Holland on all 17 counts.

In addition to being convicted of the three murders, the jury also found Holland guilty of desecration of human remains, hindering, felony murder, burglary, theft, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and multiple counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

At the end of the trial, the jury was brought back to deliberate on a separate count and found Holland guilty of being a convicted felon with a weapon.

“After almost three years of waiting, the Rouse, Jones and Marshall families finally have justice for the horrific murders of Tiniquah, Ashley and Jarrell. This result could not have been accomplished without the tireless efforts of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Task Force and the witnesses who came forward,” said Assistant Prosecutor Justin Edwab, who tried the case. “With this verdict today, this defendant will no longer be a threat to society.’’

On Jan. 29, 2016, Holland went to 29 Stratford Place, Newark, the residence of Rouse, 21, with whom he had a romantic relationship, and strangled and drowned her. Holland subsequently put Rouse’s five-month old baby boy in a closet in the apartment before leaving the apartment. Law enforcement later found Rouse in her apartment bathroom deceased and mutilated. The baby boy was found unharmed.

The next day, Holland went to 336 Clinton Place, Jones’ apartment. Holland kicked in the apartment door and shot Jones and Marshall. Jones and Marshall had recently started dating. Jones and Holland previously dated but had broken up. Three children were located inside the apartment when the police arrived. The children included two children that Jones and Holland had together as well as a child of Marshall’s. They were not physically harmed.

At trial, Holland admitted killing Rouse but claimed it was an accident. He denied have anything to do with the murders of Jones and Marshall.

Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 26, 2019. He faces life in prison.

Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Gery Destra, 21, of Maplewood was sentenced to 29 years in New Jersey State Prison yesterday by the Honorable Verna Leath, Judge of the Superior Court, for sexually assaulting a 7-year-old girl.

In October of 2017 an Essex County jury convicted Destra of aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, and child endangerment for offenses that occurred when the child was 6 and 7-years old.

Destra must serve 25 years of his sentence before he is eligible for parole, according to Assistant Prosecutor Kathleen Lyons-Boswick, an Essex County assistant prosecutor who tried the case. He faced a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Under the Jessica Lunsford Act a defendant convicted of raping a child younger than 13 years of age must serve a minimum 25-year prison sentence before he is eligible for parole. Destra will also be under parole supervision for life and required to register under Megan’s Law when he is released from prison.
“This has been a long and trying ordeal for the victim and her family. Yet, they had the strength and courage to see this through. Now, a man who poses a serious threat will be behind bars for a very, very long time,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Lyons-Boswick.

“It took a great deal of bravery and courage for the child to come to court, much less talk about something so traumatizing before the jury,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Kathleen Lyons-Boswick, who tried the case.

Following a trial before the Honorable Verna Leath, Judge of the Superior Court, the jury convicted Destra of aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child, for incidents that occurred when the child was between six and seven years old.

Sentencing is scheduled for January 25, 2018. Destra faces a mandatory minimum of 25 years to life in New Jersey State Prison. Under the Jessica Lunsford Act, defendants convicted of raping children younger than 13 are required to serve a minimum of 25 years in prison without parole.

Acting Prosecutor Laurino would like to thank members of the Maplewood Police Department and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit for their hard work in the investigation and prosecution of this case.

Destra is currently being held in the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark.

“This sentence brings finality and a sense of closure to the victims and their families,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Peter Polidoro, who tried the case.

Following a three-week trial, on Nov. 17, 2016, Melgar was convicted of one count of first degree aggravated sexual assault, one count of second degree sexual assault and two counts of second degree endangering the welfare of a child.

Today, the Honorable John I. Gizzo, Judge of the Superior Court, sentenced Melgar to 12 years in state prison with an 85 percent period of parole ineligibility for the aggravated sexual assault and an additional six years for endangering the welfare of a child.

Melgar faces possible deportation upon the completion of his sentence. He also must register as a Megan’s Law offender and is subject to parole supervision for life.

Melgar and his wife were caregivers for the girls, ages 7 and 10, at his family’s home while their mother worked. He was found guilty of sexually assaulting the youngest girl between August 2012 and May 2013, and endangering both girls.

Man Sentenced to 50 Years for Sexually Girl

 Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Honorable Russell Passamano, Judge of the Superior Court, sentenced Korynn Hunt, 39, of Newark to 50 years in New Jersey state prison for repeatedly sexually assaulting a young girl over a seven year period.

“What this defendant did to this girl is reprehensible,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Amber Loughran, who handled the case. “He stole her youth and destroyed her innocence. Yet, in the midst of all he did, she was able to confront him. And, today I hope she is able to begin the process of healing and reclaiming her life.’’

Under the No Early Release Act, Hunt must serve 41 and ½ years before he is eligible for parole. He has been in the Essex County Correctional Facility since October of 2014. The judge also put Hunt under lifetime parole supervision.

On May 16, Hunt pled guilty to a 26-count indictment charging him with multiple counts of aggravated sexual assault, endangering the welfare of a child and child pornography. He sexually assaulted the victim two times a week for eight to nine years. The last act was captured in a 52 minute video that she secretly recorded during which he not only rapes her but verbally berates her.

Irvington Mother Sentenced to 45 Years for Starving Daughter to Death

 Two other children were starved

 Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Honorable Michael L. Ravin, Judge of the Superior Court, sentenced Krisla Rezierkyson Kris, also known as Venette Ovilde, to 45 years in New Jersey state prison yesterday for starving her three children, causing the death of one, in May of 2011.

Rezierkyson Kris, 34, of Irvington was found guilty on March 22, of aggravated manslaughter for killing her 8- year old daughter, Christiana Glenn.

Yesterday, Judge Ravin sentenced her to 25 years for aggravated manslaughter. Under the No Early Release Act, Rezierkyson Kris must serve 21 years, three months and a day in state prison for the aggravated manslaughter before she is eligible for parole. She was also sentenced to two 10-year sentences for two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

The child died from starvation and the mother’s failure to seek medical treatment for a broken femur bone, the largest bone in the leg. Instead, the mother poured salt and gasoline in the wound and covered it with cornmeal.

In addition to aggravated manslaughter, the mother was also convicted of numerous other charges, including multiple counts of aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of a child and conspiracy. In addition to the child who died, Rezierkyson Kris was found guilty of starving and abusing the two surviving children, a 6-year-old boy and a 7-year-old girl, who were discovered by homicide detectives behind a boarded wall so malnourished they could no longer walk or hold their heads up. They too suffered multiple broken bones from beatings.

At trial, the surviving girl testified the children were locked in a room from morning until night with just a bowl of water mixed with a white paste and ordered not to drink from it until 12 noon. They were tied to a radiator and at times forced to kneel on metal oven grates with objects on their heads.

Assistant Prosecutor Dawn Simonetti, who tried the case with Assistant Prosecutor Kathleen Lyons-Boswick, said, “We believe this was a just outcome given the abuse and neglect these children endured over three years at the hands of their mother.’’

Charges are still pending against Myriam Janvier, 29, who also lived in the Irvington apartment. She is expected to be tried separately. Simonetti said no date has been set yet for her trial.

North Bergen Man Sentenced to 20 Years in State’s First Human Trafficking Case

Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Charles P. Torres, 56, of North Bergen was sentenced to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison, with a 20-year period of parole ineligibility, after pleading guilty to two counts of first degree human trafficking, promoting prostitution, sexual assault, causing a child to engage in a sex act while being photographed and endangering the welfare of a child.

The sentence was imposed by the Honorably Richard T. Sules, Judge of the Superior Court. Torres must serve 20 years before he is eligible for parole. In exchange for his guilty plea, charges were dropped against his son, Charles Benjamin Torres, 27, of RidgefieldPark, who was also charged with promoting prostitution.

Assistant Prosecutor Kelly Sandler, who handled the case, said Torres’ pleas to human trafficking fall under the State’s Human Trafficking Prevention, Protection and Treatment Act which went into effect in 2013. These are the first guilty pleas under the revised statute in the State.

On May 1, 2014, Torres pled guilty to multiple counts in Superior Court before the Honorable Sherry Hutchins-Henderson. Torres told the court that he recruited and enticed a minor child to work as an underage prostitute in both Essex and Hudson counties. The child was only 15 years old at the time. Torres stated that he advertised the victim on the internet and accepted money from adult men who had sex with the child. He additionally stated that he committed a sexual assault against the victim and photographed her in sexual situations.

“This case illustrates the threat that human trafficking poses to vulnerable children and young women,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Sandler. “The lengthy sentence is certainly appropriate given the fact that the defendant raped the 15-year-old victim and published her naked photos online.’’

Torres has 14 prior arrests and five prior convictions most for prostitution.

In addition to 20 years in state prison, the defendant is required to register as a Sex Offender pursuant to Megan’s Law and is subject to parole supervision for life. Additionally, he is required to pay a $25,000 fine to the Human Trafficking Survivor’s Assistance Fund.

Codefendant Victor Reyes, 39, of Union City pled guilty to third degree money laundering and will be sentenced to probation on Feb. 19. The case against Patricia Munoz, 24, of Jersey City is still outstanding.

Babysitter Who Left 4 Children Unattended is Sentenced to 3 Years

Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Sykita Covington, 40, of Newark was sentenced to three years in New Jersey State Prison by the Honorable Carolyn E. Wright, Judge of the Superior Court, for leaving four children home alone, resulting in the death of four-year-old, Naira Bennett

Covington was babysitting for Bennett, a 2-year-old boy, and taking care of her own two children, ages one year old and three years old, when she left them all alone in an apartment at the Bradley Court housing complex in Newark.

“Though she did not intend to cause the child’s death, she left four innocent children below the age of five without adult supervision, resulting in the death of a four year old,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Kathleen Lyons-Boswick, who handled the case.

While unattended, the four year old became trapped inside a futon, which closed around her head and body, causing the child’s death. The other children were not hurt.

On May 7, 2014, Covington called a taxicab and went to her teenage son’s school so she could sign him back into school after he had been suspended. She did not have custody of the boy at the time. He was living with a guardian and apparently did not want the guardian to know he had gotten into trouble at school.

Under the terms of a plea agreement, Covington pled guilty in April to two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. She was sentenced to three years in New Jersey State Prison.

Covington has been held at the Essex County Correctional Facility since May 7, 2014.

At the time she left the children alone, Covington, who admitted previously having a drug problem, was on five years federal probation for committing bank fraud.

Man Guilty of Sexually Assaulting a Child Sentenced to 17 Years

 Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that William Siudmak, 56, of Roseland was sentenced to 17 years in New Jersey State Prison by the Honorable Alfonse J. Cifelli, Judge of the Superior Court, for aggravated sexual assault and other crimes against a young girl.

According to Assistant Prosecutor Kelly Sandler, who handled the case, on June 2, Siudmak pled guilty to two counts of 1^st degree aggravated sexual assault on a child, four counts of 2^nd degree sexual assault on a child, and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Additionally, he pled guilty to a single count of possession of sexually exploitive images of children.

“Thanks to the courage of the victim in this case, who came forward and exposed these horrific crime, the State was able to ensure that this defendant will no longer be able to prey on any other children in the future,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Sandler. “Additionally, her reporting brought to light the defendant’s personal library of sexually exploitive images of children who were victimized in the past and now will not be shared with others in the future.”

Under the No Early Release Act, Siudmak must serve 85 percent of his 17-year sentence before he will become eligible for parole.

The investigation into this case was a joint investigation between the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office, the New Jersey State Police and the Roseland Police Department.