Dover Man Sentenced to 40 Years for Kidnapping, Sexual Assault
Published on June 28, 2024
Morris County Acting Prosecutor Maggie Calderwood, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, Dover Police Chief Jonathan Delaney, and Randolph Police Chief Will Harzula announce the sentencing of Jesse Meneses, 38, of Dover, New Jersey following his conviction at trial for kidnapping and sexual assault.
On June 28, 2024, the Honorable Stephen Taylor imposed 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. Meneses was also required to register with Megan’s Law and will be on Parole Supervision for Life.
On February 2, 2024, 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, one count of third-degree Terroristic Threats, one count of third-degree Witness Tampering and one count of third-degree Conspiracy to Commit Witness Tampering. He was detained at the Morris County Correctional Facility pending sentencing.
The charges arose from an incident that occurred on September 5, 2021, in Randolph, wherein the defendant sexually assaulted his ex-girlfriend in his vehicle. Additionally, he transported and confined her from Randolph, through Victory Gardens, and ultimately to Dover, where she was able to escape and report Meneses to the police. 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. Between April 2022 and October 2022, Meneses communicated with family members about contacting the victim to have her change her version of events or withdraw the criminal action.
Acting Prosecutor Calderwood credited Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Reema Sethi Kareer and Assistant Prosecutor Samantha Polizzi, Detective Raquelin Perea, Detective Supervisor Lydia Negron, and SART/SANE Coordinator Alexis Rachel who all played integral roles on the trial team.
Acting Prosecutor Calderwood would like to thank and acknowledge the agencies that participated in the investigation which led to the successful prosecution, including 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.
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