Sex Assault Strangulation Among Charges For Somerset County Attacker: Prosecutor

A 42-year-old Somerset County man has been charged with sexually assaulting a woman who he knew earlier this month, authorities said.

Mateo Espinal-Brito
Photo Credit: *Somerset County Prosecutor's Office*

Cecilia Levine

09/26/2023 2:48 p.m.

Mateo Espinal-Brito, of Franklin Township, is accused of sexually assaulting the woman early Monday, Sept. 11, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said.

The alleged incident occurred in Franklin Township and was reported that day around 5 a.m., the prosecutor said alongside Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives Francisco Roman Jr., and Franklin Township Public Safety Director Quovella M. Maeweather.

Following an investigation, Espinal-Brito was charged with aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault of the second-degree, and aggravated assault-strangulation.

He was lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing in this matter.

Prosecutor McDonald, Chief Roman, and Franklin Township Public Safety Director Maeweather request anyone with information relating to this incident to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes Unit at (908) 231-7100 or the Franklin Township Police Department at (732) 873-5533 or via the STOPit app.

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