On Wednesday, March 4, Asad Hasanov, 31, of Wesley Chapel, FL, met the victim in Ohio after the two connected online, according to Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renée M. Robeson.
Hasanov later the victim with tape and traveled across multiple states, during which he repeatedly sexually assaulted the victim, the prosecutor said. The incident ended on March 5 at a TA Truck Stop in Bloomsbury, where Hasanov allowed the victim to use the restroom, Robeson said.
The victim then approached the information desk and reported the kidnapping, according to officials.
New Jersey State Police responded and transported the victim to Hunterdon Medical Center for evaluation/ Investigators found Hasanov inside his vehicle in Hillsborough and took him into custody without incident, Robeson said.
He was charged with first-degree kidnapping, third-degree criminal restraint, and fourth-degree tampering with evidence, according to authorities. Prosecutors filed a motion to detain Hasanov pending trial, but it was denied on Friday, March 20, officials said.
Hasanov was released on pretrial monitoring and is scheduled to appear in court on April 13 before Superior Court Judge Christopher J. Garrenger, authorities said. Officials said the case remains under investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office.
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