TOMS RIVER, N.J. — Quamel Benton, 36, of Farmingdale, pleaded guilty Monday to multiple charges, including attempted kidnapping, two counts of eluding, and criminal sexual contact, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer. The charges stem from incidents that occurred on March 21 and 22 in Lakewood and Toms River.
The sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 6. Prosecutors will seek a seven-year term in New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) for the attempted kidnapping charge, with additional sentences for the other charges. Benton’s sentence includes terms for eluding and criminal sexual contact, some of which will run consecutively.
The case began on March 21 when Lakewood Township Police responded to Forest Park Circle for a reported attempted kidnapping. Authorities say Benton, driving a white SUV, tried to pull a teenage girl into his vehicle before she escaped and ran home.
Later that night, Benton was involved in a sexual assault incident at a Target parking lot in Toms River, where he fled after grabbing a woman. Police pursued Benton after identifying his vehicle but ended the chase when he entered the Garden State Parkway.
Benton was apprehended in the early hours of March 22 after crashing his vehicle during a police pursuit and attempting to flee on foot.