MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office has announced the sentencing of Jesse Meneses, 38, of Dover, New Jersey, to 40 years in state prison following his conviction for multiple charges, including kidnapping and sexual assault. Acting Prosecutor Maggie Calderwood, along with local law enforcement leaders, detailed the conclusion of the case which stemmed from a series of crimes committed in 2021.
The Honorable Stephen Taylor handed down the sentence on June 28, 2024, mandating approximately 32 years and 3 months of parole ineligibility under the No Early Release Act. Meneses is also required to register under Megan’s Law and will be subject to Parole Supervision for Life.
A jury convicted Meneses on February 2, 2024, of a litany of charges: 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, and several other related charges, including terroristic threats and witness tampering.
The incidents leading to Meneses’s conviction occurred on September 5, 2021, when he sexually assaulted his ex-girlfriend in his vehicle, transported her across multiple locations, and confined her before she managed to escape and contact the authorities. Following her escape and report, a detailed investigation was launched by the Dover and Randolph Police Departments, along with the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes & Child Endangerment Unit.
Further complicating his case, between April and October 2022, Meneses attempted to tamper with the witness by communicating with family members about influencing the victim to alter her testimony or withdraw her statements. This additional misconduct contributed to the severe penalties imposed by the court.