April 3rd, 2010
06:06 PM ET

5 more arrests in New Jersey child rape case

[updated 7:25 p.m.] Two men and three boys, ranging in age from 13 to 20, have been charged with aggravated sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child, Trenton Police Director Irving Bradley said at a news conference Saturday evening.

Gregory Joseph Leary, 20, was arrested and charged Thursday.  Police announced the arrest and charges against Tiemear Lewis, 19, on Saturday. Both men are from Trenton.

Police also announced charges against the juveniles, ages 13, 14 and 17, on Saturday. Their names are being withheld.

More arrests are expected in the case, authorities said.

[Posted 6:06 p.m.] Five more people have been arrested in the case of a 15-year-old girl in Trenton, New Jersey, who allegedly allowed men to have sex with her and her 7-year-old sister for money, police announced Saturday.

Police believe that as many as seven men and boys, ranging in age from 15 to 23, paid for sex with the 15-year-old and her sister during a party Sunday night.

Trenton police had arrested and charged a 20-year-old man in the case Wednesday.

Officials say the 15-year-old was baby-sitting her sister Sunday afternoon when she encountered two males who invited her to "hang out" with them. She agreed and brought her sister along to an apartment.

The 15-year-old first agreed to have sex with the men for money, Trenton police Capt. Joseph Juniak said. She then gave the men permission to "touch" the 7-year-old, he said, adding that it's likely the 15-year-old gave the 7-year-old some of the money she had received.

Molestation of the 7-year-old "quickly escalated to rape," Juniak said. The men held her down and said they would kill her if she screamed, he said.

The 7-year-old was found after she left the building by two women who escorted her home, according to police.

The older girl is charged with aggravated sexual assault, criminal restraint, endangering the welfare of a child, and promoting prostitution, police said.

The case has outraged the Trenton community and put authorities have been under immense pressure to make arrests.

Early Thursday morning, police conducted a raid at Rowan Towers, the public housing apartments where the assault occurred, and arrested 27 men and women on outstanding warrants from unrelated cases. Some residents were upset and frightened by the raid, but told CNN that it was time police started paying attention to the building.

Several Rowan Towers residents told CNN that the empty apartment where the attack occurred was well known as a place "where trouble happened." One elderly female resident said groups of young men and women would go there and hold drug and alcohol-fueled parties "at all hours of the night."

Gregory Joseph Leary, 20, of Trenton, was arrested Wednesday night and charged with aggravated sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child, according to Trenton police.

- CNN's Cameo George and Nicole Bliman contributed to this report.

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Filed under: Justice • U.S.
soundoff (59 Responses)
  1. NY MAMI 424

    WHERE THE HELL ARE THE PARENTS??? WHO WOULD PUT A LOVED ONE IN THAT KIND OF SITUATION?? THESE KIDS NOW A DAYS DO ANYTHING FOR MONEY EVEN IF IT MEANS TAKING THE INNOCENCE OF A CHILD!! FRY HER!!

    July 21, 2010 at 9:04 pm | Report abuse |
  2. YounanMarketingAndManagementAssociatesInc, Int'l Intst''r

    why are you deleting me again. you shouldn't delete the one i just sent it explains why all those at the top get away with everything they're doing.

    July 21, 2010 at 9:08 pm | Report abuse |
  3. YounanMarketingAndManagementAssociatesInc, Int'l Intst''r

    don't delete me stupid my words mean a lot even if they are vulgar satire comedy aimed at disclosing political involved commercial domination. theresa noelle younan

    July 21, 2010 at 10:59 pm | Report abuse |
  4. Tired of it all

    Trenton, another 3d world ghetto.

    July 23, 2010 at 5:56 am | Report abuse |
  5. Richard

    I blame every one of them except the 7 yr old and hope they are all locked up for the rest of their lives after they are castrated.

    July 25, 2010 at 10:28 pm | Report abuse |
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