New Jersey brothers raped 3 teens after offering them a ride, plying them with ecstasy, say police
MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY: Two brothers from Asbury Park, New Jersey, were arrested by police after they allegedly sexually assaulted at least three juveniles while offering them a ride, Monmouth County Prosecutor, Christopher J. Gramiccioni, announced on Friday, May 1.
The brothers, identified as 21-year-old Wilson Cesaire and 28-year-old Wilfrid Cesaire, were both charged with multiple offenses, including kidnapping, sexual assault, endangering another person, endangering the welfare of a child, and cruelty and neglect of children.
The news came to light after four juveniles were reported missing from Millstone Township in the early morning hours of April 22. The juveniles were later located by the authorities on the same day in Asbury Park and Neptune Township.
The Asbury Park Police Department launched an investigation into the case, which revealed that the Cesaire brothers had approached the juveniles as they were walking on a road and offered to give them a ride. The brothers took the children to a QuickChek convenience store in Manalapan and eventually to the duo's residence on Asbury Avenue.
Authorities state that the Cesaire brothers gave the juveniles marijuana, ecstasy, and alcohol and allegedly sexually assaulted three of them. After the minors reported the assault to authorities, the brothers were arrested on Friday, and each of them was charged with four counts of first-degree kidnapping, four counts of fourth-degree cruelty and neglect, and four counts of fourth-degree endangering another person, according to the Office of Monmouth County Prosecutor.
Wilson, in addition, was charged with two counts of second-degree sexual assault and one count of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, while Wilfred was charged with four counts of second-degree sexual assault and two counts of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child.
Prosecutor Gramiccioni, in a statement, warned against taking rides from strangers, stating: "This must be repeated over and over again – you do not take rides from strangers. There are predators who will obviously take advantage of any situation as it presents itself. We will prosecute these individuals to the fullest extent of the law."
Authorities stated that if the defendants are convicted, they face sentencing up to life imprisonment and would be subject to parole supervision for life. They will also be required to register under Megan's law, meaning their information will be available to the public. The federal law requires law enforcement authorities in the US to make information available to the public regarding registered sex offenders. The law was formulated in response to the murder of 7-year-old Megan Kanka.
Investigators are reportedly seeking additional information about the brothers and are looking to identify and locate other possible suspects or victims associated with the case, reports state. The prosecutor's office said that anyone with any information please contact Detective Lemar Whittaker of the Asbury Park Police Department at 732-775-2578. The case is assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Danielle Zanzuccki
The brothers are currently being held at the Monmouth County Correctional Institute. Their detention hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, May 6.