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Somerset County Jail

Arrest Made In Fatal Stabbing Of 27-Year-Old Woman At NJ Apartment Complex: Prosecutors Arrest Made In Fatal Stabbing Of 27-Year-Old Woman At NJ Apartment Complex: Prosecutors
Arrest Made In Fatal Stabbing Of 27-Year-Old Woman At NJ Apartment Complex: Prosecutors A 27-year-old Somerville man was arrested on Sunday, Feb. 4, and charged with fatally stabbing Maryrose Fealey last week, authorities said. David Shroitman was charged with first-degree murder, possession of a weapon, tampering with physical evidence, and hindering apprehension, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Maryrose Fealey Facebook Fealey, a Somerville resident was found by Somerville police responding to a 911 call, outside a residential complex on North Bridge Street around 10:20 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30, McDonald said alongside Somerset County Prosecuto…
Victim Confronts NJ Teacher 12 Years After Sexual, Romantic Relationship: Affidavit Victim Confronts NJ Teacher 12 Years After Sexual, Romantic Relationship: Affidavit
Victim Confronts NJ Teacher 12 Years After Sexual, Romantic Relationship: Affidavit At 26 years old, a woman is confronting her former New Jersey teacher who is accused of sexually abusing her 12 years ago, court documents show.  Now, the same age as her abuser when they began a relationship, the victim told now-38-year-old Lydia Pinto this month she could never fathom doing what she did: Engage in a relationship with someone 14 or 15 years old, according to the affidavit obtained by Daily Voice. Pinto, of Newton, PA, was charged earlier this month with sexually abusing a former student. The victim, identified only as Jane Doe, was a freshman at Bridgewater-Raritan …
NJ Teacher Had Sexual Relationship With High School Student For Years: Police NJ Teacher Had Sexual Relationship With High School Student For Years: Police
NJ Teacher Had Sexual Relationship With High School Student For Years: Police A former New Jersey teacher from Pennsylvania has been accused of sexually assaulting a former student, police said. Lydia Pinto, 38, of Newton, PA, is believed to have engaged in a relationship with the student — now an adult — when they were 14 and 15 years old, in Raritan Borough, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. The alleged victim was interviewed by detectives on Oct. 26, and said the relationship turned sexual and continued through their senior year of high school, McDonald said alongside other county and local officials. Pinto was arrested on Wednesday, Nov. 8 i…
Firearms, Ammo Seized From 18-Year-Old Man Charged With Attempted Murder In NJ Shooting Spree Firearms, Ammo Seized From 18-Year-Old Man Charged With Attempted Murder In NJ Shooting Spree
Firearms, Ammo Seized From 18-Year-Old Man Charged With Attempted Murder In NJ Shooting Spree Numerous firearms and ammunition were seized from the home of an 18-year-old man who police say fired shots into three Somerset County homes in early-September. Ryan Vandermeer, 18, of Hillsborough, is being held in the Somerset County Jail on charges of attempted murder and various weapons offenses in connection with the incidents on Sept. 3 and Sept. 5, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Vandermeer is believed to have fired shots into the rear sliding glass door of a Robin Road home on Sunday, Sept. 3, between 10:15 p.m. and 10:45 p.m., McDonald said alongside local po…
ATTEMPTED MURDER: NJ Man Shot Car Twice In Road Rage Incident Near 287 Ramp, Prosecutor Says ATTEMPTED MURDER: NJ Man Shot Car Twice In Road Rage Incident Near 287 Ramp, Prosecutor Says
Attempted Murder: NJ Man Shot Car Twice In Road Rage Incident Near 287 Ramp, Prosecutor Says A Somerset County driver has been charged with attempted murder after becoming “irate” and firing two rounds at another vehicle during a road rage incident earlier this month, authorities announced. Gerald S. Chapman, 39, of Ulysses Road in Somerset, was charged with first-degree attempted murder and second-degree possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said Tuesday, May 23. Investigators say Chapman “became irate” during a road rage incident on Easton Avenue near the 287 ramp in Franklin Township around 4:50 p.m. on Friday, May 5. …
NJ Man Who Sexually Assaulted 9-Year-Old Captured Trying To Board Flight: Prosecutor NJ Man Who Sexually Assaulted 9-Year-Old Captured Trying To Board Flight: Prosecutor
NJ Man Who Sexually Assaulted 9-Year-Old Captured Trying To Board Flight: Prosecutor A 39-year-old Somerset County man was arrested for sexually assaulting a 9-year-old girl while boarding a flight from Chicago to Utah, authorities said. The alleged victim told a detective with the prosecutor's office that she had been sexually assaulted by Fabian Osuna-Vargas on Oct. 19 in North Plainfield, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Two days later, Osuna-Vargas was getting on a flight from Chicago, Illinois to Salt Lake City, Utah on Oct. 21 when he was captured, McDonald said. He was charged with aggravated sex assault and child endangerment. Osuna-Varga…
NJ Man Pulls Down Pants, Shows Genitals To Girl At Learning Center: Prosecutor NJ Man Pulls Down Pants, Shows Genitals To Girl At Learning Center: Prosecutor
NJ Man Pulls Down Pants, Shows Genitals To Girl At Learning Center: Prosecutor A 54-year-old Princeton man was arrested for exposing his genitals to a girl at a learning center in Somerset County, authorities said. The girl told police she was walking by a man later identified as Shuai Shen, of Princeton, when he pulled his pants down and exposed himself to her on Saturday, Oct. 1 at an undisclosed educational facility in Montgomery Township,  Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Shen was identified as a possible suspect after detectives interviewed the victim, McDonald's office said. Exactly a week later, while conducting a surveillance detail…
Bulging Crack Pipe In Man's Sock Leads To Cocaine Seizure In Somerset County: Prosecutor Bulging Crack Pipe In Man's Sock Leads To Cocaine Seizure In Somerset County: Prosecutor
Bulging Crack Pipe In Man's Sock Leads To Cocaine Seizure In Somerset County: Prosecutor An odd-shaped bulge in a business patron's sock spotted by a police officer turned out to be a crack pipe, said authorities in Somerset County who also seized several vials of cocaine from him. A Branchburg officer was outside of a local business speaking to Diego Mena-Quesada, when he noticed the protrusion in his sock around 11 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 23, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. The officer identified the bulge as being consistent with the shape of a crack pipe, at which point 28-year-old Mena-Quesada, of Whitehouse Station, removed a crack pipe from his soc…
Central Jersey Man Sexually Assaulted Girl, 12, He Met Online: Prosecutor Central Jersey Man Sexually Assaulted Girl, 12, He Met Online: Prosecutor
Central Jersey Man Sexually Assaulted Girl, 12, He Met Online: Prosecutor A 20-year-old Somerset County man was arrested for sexually assaulted a 12-year-old girl he met online, authorities said. The victim on July 26 told police she met an unknown male, later identified as Lenic S. Galvin, of Bound Brook, on social media before he arranged for the victim to be brought to his home, where he sexually assaulted her, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Galvin was arrested the following day on charges of aggravated sexual assault and more. He was lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing. Anyone with information relating …
Driver Wanted On Warrants Leads Route 202 Pursuit-Crash: Prosecutor Driver Wanted On Warrants Leads Route 202 Pursuit-Crash: Prosecutor
Driver Wanted On Warrants Leads Route 202 Pursuit-Crash: Prosecutor A 25-year-old woman wanted on warrants out of multiple Central Jersey towns arrested for leading a Route 202 police pursuit before crashing, authorities said. Police tried stopping Jerrie Lee Williams, of Bound Brook, around 11:05 p.m. in Branchburg when they noticed she had an expired registration, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Williams failed to stop when signaled by the officer activating his emergency police lights and siren, McDonald said. Instead, she fled on Holland Brook Road at a high rate of speed.  The officer deactivated his police emergency l…
Somerset County Man Busted On Child Porn Charges Somerset County Man Busted On Child Porn Charges
Somerset County Man Busted On Child Porn Charges A 33-year-old Somerset County man was arrested on child porn charges, authorities said. A search of devices at Jason O'Hare's Lake Road home in Far Hills the morning of May 25 turned up  numerous sexually explicit images of children under the age of 18, Somerset County Acting Prosecutor Annmarie Taggart said. Detectives were tipped off to an apparent upload of images of sexual exploitation or abuse of a child by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).  O’Hare was arrested without incident at his house and charged with 2nd degree Distribution…
Somerset County Man, 24, Nabbed In Home And Vehicle Burglaries: Prosecutor Somerset County Man, 24, Nabbed In Home And Vehicle Burglaries: Prosecutor
Somerset County Man, 24, Nabbed In Home And Vehicle Burglaries: Prosecutor A 24-year-old Somerset County man accused of a string of home and car burglaries is facing various charges, authorities said. Jason M. Milak was seen driving a work van before burglarizing a home on River Road in Branchburg Township on Monday, May 9, Acting Somerset County Prosecutor Annmarie Taggart said in a release alongside local officials on Wednesday, June 22. A month later, Milak, of Branchburg, was scared off by a resident of Cedar Grove Road who claimed that he had tried to break into a parked vehicle shortly before 3:30 a.m. Meanwhile, a second resident’s vehicle was burglarized …
NJ Man, 23, Charged In Unprovoked Stabbing — Again NJ Man, 23, Charged In Unprovoked Stabbing — Again
NJ Man, 23, Charged In Unprovoked Stabbing — Again A 23-year-old New Jersey man who made headlines last year for his involvement in a stabbing was arrested and charged in a nearly identical crime, authorities announced. Safi N. Hill was arrested and charged with first-degree attempted murder, hindering, and weapons offenses, Acting Somerset County Prosecutor Annmarie Taggart said in a release alongside local officials on Friday, May 6. According to investigators, Hill approached a Hillsborough man walking his dog near 9th Street and Clawson Avenue before stabbing him several times in the back around 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 4. Hill was ide…
US Marshals Nab 3rd Suspect From NJ Murder Case In North Carolina, Prosecutor Says US Marshals Nab 3rd Suspect From NJ Murder Case In North Carolina, Prosecutor Says
US Marshals Nab 3rd Suspect From NJ Murder Case In North Carolina, Prosecutor Says A third suspect wanted in a New Jersey murder case was nabbed by US Marshals agents in North Carolina, authorities said. Jose Branch, of Plainfield, was tracked down in Raleigh in connection with the March 1 shooting death of Steve Camino in North Plainfield, Acting Prosecutor Annmarie Taggart said. He was charged with first-degree conspiracy to commit murder and extradited from North Carolina to Somerset County on Tuesday, April 19, Taggart said. Branch was jailed pending a detention hearing. Kenneth Hill, 21 of Plainfield, and Daniel Carrera-Cardona, 22, of Piscataway, wer…
Woman Gave False Report In Deadly NJ Hit-Run Crash: Prosecutor Woman Gave False Report In Deadly NJ Hit-Run Crash: Prosecutor
Woman Gave False Report In Deadly NJ Hit-Run Crash: Prosecutor The driver who struck and killed a pedestrian earlier this year was arrested, as was a woman who lied about the incident to police, authorities in Central Jersey said. Raulito Peralta, 22, of Highland Park, struck and killed New Brunswick's Treasa M. Daye-Fennie while she was crossing a street in Franklin Township last February, Acting Somerset County Prosecutor Annmarie Taggart said. Estrella Caballero-Cruz, 21, of Highland Park, was charged with providing a false report to police. Daye-Fennie was crossing Somerset Street near High Street around 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 22, wh…
NJ Man Sexually Assaulted Girl From Ages 6 To 9: Prosecutor NJ Man Sexually Assaulted Girl From Ages 6 To 9: Prosecutor
NJ Man Sexually Assaulted Girl From Ages 6 To 9: Prosecutor A 68-year-old Somerset County man was arrested on accusations he sexually assaulted a girl for three years beginning when she was six years old, authorities said. Teodoro R. Velazquez, of Bernardsville, was arrested following an investigation beginning in June 2021,  Acting Somerset County Prosecutor Thomas Chirichella said. The girl told detectives she was abused by Velazquez from 2013 to 2017 in Bernardsville, Chirichella said alongside local police. Velazquez was arrested Wednesday, March 23, on various degrees of aggravated sexual assault and child endangerment. He was lodged in …
Central Jersey Man Led 2 Police Pursuits In Stolen Cars — Both Of Which He Crashed: Police Central Jersey Man Led 2 Police Pursuits In Stolen Cars — Both Of Which He Crashed: Police
Central Jersey Man Led 2 Police Pursuits In Stolen Cars — Both Of Which He Crashed: Police A 26-year-old Somerset County man who led two separate police pursuits in stolen cars — both of which he crashed — has been arrested on theft and drug charges, authorities announced. Nicholas G. Aiello first started trouble on Feb. 24, when police responding to reports of a stolen vehicle spotted it speeding eastbound on Route 28 around 9:20 p.m. in Branchburg, Acting Somerset County Prosecutor Thomas Chirichella said. The officer activated his vehicle’s emergency lights and siren, but discontinued the pursuit for safety reasons as the vehicle sped out of sight. A short time later, off…
NJ Martial Arts Instructor, Combat Vet Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Teen Students NJ Martial Arts Instructor, Combat Vet Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Teen Students
NJ Martial Arts Instructor, Combat Vet Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Teen Students A 44-year-old martial arts instructor was arrested for sexually assaulting two teen students, authorities in Somerset County said. Vincent Damiano carried out the assaults in Branchburg Township (Somerset County), Asbury (Warren County), and the Borough of Lebanon (Hunterdon County) from May 2019 to July 2019, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. Damiano's website says he is a "multi-business entrepreneur, adventurer, speaker, coach, martial arts instructor, and combat veteran," who served 10 years in the military "and now serves his community by giving back through on…
'BOUND & RESTRAINED': NJ Mom Accused Of Killing 2 Kids Found Dead In Car 'BOUND & RESTRAINED': NJ Mom Accused Of Killing 2 Kids Found Dead In Car
'Bound & Restrained': NJ Mom Accused Of Killing 2 Kids Found Dead In Car A 36-year-old New Jersey mom was charged with two counts of first-degree murder after her two young children were found "bound and restrained" -- and dead -- in the back seat of her car, authorities said. A 911 call was received around 7:40 a.m. Tuesday, reporting a disabled vehicle on Mountain View Road in Hillsborough, according to the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office. Responding officers found the driver, Yuhwei Chou, of Skillman, and two children -- one in a booster seat and the other in a baby seat -- bound and restrained in the car's back seats, authorities said. Investigators det…
NJ Fencing Coach, Columbia U Champ Who Sexually Assaulted 2 Teens Lied Under Oath: Prosecutor NJ Fencing Coach, Columbia U Champ Who Sexually Assaulted 2 Teens Lied Under Oath: Prosecutor
NJ Fencing Coach, Columbia U Champ Who Sexually Assaulted 2 Teens Lied Under Oath: Prosecutor A New Jersey fencing coach was arrested for sexually assaulting two teenagers then gave false statement in his detention hearing, authorities said. A 16-year-old girl reported being sexually assaulting by Stephen Kovacs, 49, of Watchung, in Bridgewater in August and September 2021, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said.  Then, a 19-year-old woman said she was also sexually assault by Kovacs -- formerly of Clifton -- when she was 18, Robertson said. The victim earlier this month disclosed incidents of sexual assault that occurred in Bridgewater from January 2020 to …
NJ Man Convicted Of Trying To Kill Ex-GF, Another Man In Drive-By Shooting NJ Man Convicted Of Trying To Kill Ex-GF, Another Man In Drive-By Shooting
NJ Man Convicted Of Trying To Kill Ex-GF, Another Man In Drive-By Shooting A Somerset County jury returned guilty verdicts of attempted murder and other charges against a 39-year-old man for trying to kill his ex-girlfriend and another man in a 2018 drive-by shooting. Robert W. Smith, formerly of Bridgewater, on May 4, 2018 fired three shots into a 2011 Mazda CX7 carrying his ex (and the mother of his two children) and the other victim around 10 p.m. in the Finderne Section of Bridgewater, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. Smith's Nissan Rogue struck a utility pole, and he suffered a fractured leg. The Mazda crashed off the east …
NJ R&B Singer Jaheim Abused 15 Dogs Some In Water-Filled Crates, Emaciated, Prosecutor Says NJ R&B Singer Jaheim Abused 15 Dogs Some In Water-Filled Crates, Emaciated, Prosecutor Says
NJ R&B Singer Jaheim Abused 15 Dogs Some In Water-Filled Crates, Emaciated, Prosecutor Says New Jersey R&B singer Jaheim Hoagland has been arrested for abusing 15 dogs -- some severely emaciated and others found in crates filled with several inches of water, authorities said. Hillsborough police officers responded to a Chamberlain Drive home on reports of a puppy in distress around 9:15 a.m. Sept. 6, where they found six dogs in separate animal crates in the driveway of the home, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. One of the dogs was initially unresponsive in a water filled crate and subsequently had to be euthanized, Robertson said alongside Somer…
NJ Home Health Aid, 69, Sexually Assaulted Nonverbal Patient, Authorities Say NJ Home Health Aid, 69, Sexually Assaulted Nonverbal Patient, Authorities Say
NJ Home Health Aid, 69, Sexually Assaulted Nonverbal Patient, Authorities Say A 69-year-old home health aid sexually assaulted a nonverbal adult male patient, authorities said. Franklin Township police on Aug. 10 got a tip regarding possible sexual contact regarding Rose Stanley, of Somerset, and her patient, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. Stanley was working as a home health care aide for a Franklin Township company at the time of the incident, Robertson said. Stanley was arrested and charged with third degree aggravated criminal sexual contact in connection with the incident following an investigation, authorities said. She was lo…
NJ Man Attacks Victim With Axe When Argument Turns Violent, Authorities Say NJ Man Attacks Victim With Axe When Argument Turns Violent, Authorities Say
NJ Man Attacks Victim With Axe When Argument Turns Violent, Authorities Say A 53-year-old Somerset County man was arrested for attacking a victim with an axe, sending him to the hospital, authorities said. Jonathan W. Beatty, of Raritan, was at his West Somerset Street house when he got into an argument with someone he knew around 12:50 a.m. July 3, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. Things escalated and Beatty sliced the victim's back and forearm with the axe, causing him to bleed profusely, Robertson said alongside Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor and Raritan Borough Chief of Police Raymond Nolte. Beatty was transported from …
Prosecutor: Gunman Surrenders In Franklin Township Shooting That Injured New Brunswick Man Prosecutor: Gunman Surrenders In Franklin Township Shooting That Injured New Brunswick Man
Prosecutor: Gunman Surrenders In Franklin Township Shooting That Injured New Brunswick Man A 45-year-old Somerset County man surrendered to authorities on attempted murder and weapons charges in connection with a May 31 shooting, the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office announced Tuesday. Johnny Totten, of Somerset, was charged in the incident that left a New Brunswick man injured near Hamilton Street in Franklin Township, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. Police were called to the scene around 10:25 p.m., where they found the injured man at the intersection of Matilda Avenue, Robertson said alongside Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of Count…
Prosecutor: Juvenile Beaten With Gun, Lured In NJ Drug Deal Gone Bad Prosecutor: Juvenile Beaten With Gun, Lured In NJ Drug Deal Gone Bad
Prosecutor: Juvenile Beaten With Gun, Lured In NJ Drug Deal Gone Bad Two more arrests have been made in connection with a Somerset County drug deal gone bad last January, authorities said Thursday. Kayla S. Burnett, 20, of Ewing, and Samuel P. Dyal, 18, of Princeton, were arrested on May 26 and May 27, respectively, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. George C. Battle, 4th was taken into custody on April 28, 2021 and charged with armed robbery, unlawful possession of a handgun, conspiracy to commit armed robbery and luring, all in connection with the Montgomery Township incident, Robertson said. On Jan. 25, a juvenile told police that…
Pair Captured On Attempted Murder Charges Weeks After Somerset County Shooting Pair Captured On Attempted Murder Charges Weeks After Somerset County Shooting
Pair Captured On Attempted Murder Charges Weeks After Somerset County Shooting Two men have been arrested in connection with a Somerset County shooting last month, authorities announced Monday. Somerville police responded to Third and Center streets on reports of shots fired around 2:45 a.m. May 23, where they found bullet holes in an occupied home, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. Ronnie Lyles, 51, of Phillipsburg, and Miguel A. Hernandez, 37, of Somerville, were identified as the two suspects involved in the shooting, Robertson said alongside Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor and Somervil…
PA Trio Charged With Attempted Murder In Shooting Of NJ Motorcyclist On I-287 PA Trio Charged With Attempted Murder In Shooting Of NJ Motorcyclist On I-287
PA Trio Charged With Attempted Murder In Shooting Of NJ Motorcyclist On I-287 Three Pennsylvania men were charged in a drive-by shooting on Interstate 287 in New Jersey that injured a motorcyclist over the weekend, authorities said. Matthew Plaza, 32, of Allentown; Luis Velez, 37, of Bethlehem; and Raymond Bethancourt, 35, of Shillington have been arrested on various weapons charges while Plaza is also facing a charge of attempted murder, New Jersey State Police said. Troopers from the Somerville Station responded to Chimney Rock Road in Bridgewater, where the motorcyclist had called 911 saying another driver brandished a gun and shot him on the highway around 6:40 p…
Pair Charged With Murder In Fatal Stabbing Of Somerset County Man, 23, Prosecutor Says Pair Charged With Murder In Fatal Stabbing Of Somerset County Man, 23, Prosecutor Says
Pair Charged With Murder In Fatal Stabbing Of Somerset County Man, 23, Prosecutor Says Two suspects are facing murder charges in connection to the fatal stabbing of a 23-year-old Somerset County man earlier this week, authorities said. Nasir J. Williams aka “Duck”, 20, and Ishadir S. Hunter aka “Ice”, 22, both of Somerset, were taken into custody Wednesday and charged with first-degree murder, first-degree conspiracy to commit murder, first-degree armed robbery and third-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, Robertson said. Hunter was also charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief. Jamari R. Stephenson, of Somerset, was found unresponsive by officers inside a house on H…
Mercer County Man Nabbed In Somerset Drug Deal Turned Gunpoint Robbery, Authorities Say Mercer County Man Nabbed In Somerset Drug Deal Turned Gunpoint Robbery, Authorities Say
Mercer County Man Nabbed In Somerset Drug Deal Turned Gunpoint Robbery, Authorities Say An 18-year-old Mercer County man has been arrested in a Somerset County drug deal-turned robbery that occurred last January, authorities announced Monday. George C. Battle IV and another man had made arrangement with the victim over a social media application to conduct a drug deal near Lancaster Court in Montgomery Township on Jan. 17 around 6:30 p.m.,  Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. A man got into the passenger's seat of his car and pointed a black gun at him while another man got into the back of the car and demanded his wallet, cell phone, car keys and hat, R…
NJ Driving School Instructor Charged With Sexually Assaulting Students NJ Driving School Instructor Charged With Sexually Assaulting Students
NJ Driving School Instructor Charged With Sexually Assaulting Students A 59-year-old Somerset County ex-driving school instructor was arrested for sexually assaulting two driving students during sessions, authorities said. Steven Collucci, who previously worked for Dill's Driving School, is accused of sexually assaulting two 16-year-old alleged victims, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. The first alleged victim reported being touched in a sexual manner by Collucci, of Somerville, while driving in the Bridgewater and Hillsborough area in June 2017, Robertson said. Then, in January 2021, a second individual reported being touched s…