Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura announced today that a juvenile and an adult male have been arrested and charged with kidnapping and sexually assaulting a young woman at Irvington Park.
The victim, an 18-year-old college student, was returning from night classes at approximately 6:40 p.m. yesterday. When she exited a bus, she was approached by two males. They attempted to strike up a conversation with her. When she rebuffed them, they pulled a gun on her and forced the victim into the park. The two males are accused of raping her at gunpoint.
This morning a 17-year-old juvenile from Newark and Derrick Baker, 26, also of Newark, were arrested and charged with one count of first degree kidnapping, one count of first degree robbery, and three counts of first degree aggravated sexual assault.
The juvenile’s name is not being released at this time. Baker is being held at the Essex County Correctional Facility. The juvenile is at the Essex County Youth House.
“We are working jointly with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office in this investigation as we always do,’’ said Sheriff Fontoura.
The investigation is active an ongoing. Anyone with additional information should contact Essex County Prosecutor’s Office’s Office Special Victims Unit at 972-753-1123.
In addition, Sheriff Fontoura said that the Crimestoppers program will pay up to $5,000 for details that assist investigators. The Sheriff’s Crimestoppers 24/7 tip line is 973-877-TIPS.
These are accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they enter a guilty plea or are found guilty in a court of law.
