FRANKLIN TWP., N.J. – Authorities arrested Mateo Espinal-Brito, 42, of Franklin Township, N.J., in connection with an aggravated sexual assault reported on Monday, September 11.
Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald, Chief of County Detectives Francisco Roman Jr., and Franklin Township Public Safety Director Quovella M. Maeweather confirmed that the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes/Child Abuse Unit initiated an investigation after receiving a report from the Franklin Township Police Department. An adult female victim known to Espinal-Brito reported being sexually and physically assaulted by him.
Following the victim’s interview at the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Child Advocacy Center, an investigation was launched by the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes/Child Abuse Unit in collaboration with detectives from the Franklin Township Police Department.
Espinal-Brito was arrested later that day at the Franklin Township Police Department without incident. He has been charged with 1st-degree Aggravated Sexual Assault, 2nd-degree Sexual Assault, and 2nd-degree Aggravated Assault-Strangulation. He is currently being held at Somerset County Jail awaiting a detention hearing.
Law enforcement officials are urging anyone with additional information to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes Unit at (908) 231-7100 or the Franklin Township Police Department at (732) 873-5533. Anonymous reports can also be made via the STOPit app, using the access code SOMERSETNJ, or through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous reports will remain confidential.