Defendants Arrested/Charged with Sexual Assault on Teen
Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and Lakewood Police Chief Robert C. Lawson today announced the arrest of two Lakewood residents as the result of a sexual assault investigation. The investigation initiated on July 20, 2014 by Lakewood Police Detective Joseph Gregg and Ocean County Prosecutor’s Special Victims Unit Detective Stephanie Bayha resulted in the arrest of Luis Menes Pastrana, 23, of Lakewood, NJ.
The investigation began after a 15 year-old female victim disclosed to the Lakewood Police Department that Pastrana and a man later identified as Juan Carlos Chavez-Rosas, 22, had allegedly sexually assaulted her in the early morning hours of July 20, 2014. The victim was immediately transported to Kimball Medical Center with her guardian to undergo a Forensic Nurse Examination.
Following the examination, the victim provided Detectives Gregg and Bayha with a formal statement relating that she attended a party with Pastrana and Chavez-Rosas, in which Chavez-Rosas allegedly supplied her with alcohol. Pastrana and Chavez-Rosas then drove the victim from the party to a residence where Chavez-Rosas again provided the victim with alcohol. The victim informed investigators that she was sexually assaulted at this residence by the two men.
Based on the victim’s statement, Detectives Gregg and Bayha on Sunday (7/20) responded to Pastrana’s Coral Avenue residence, placed him under arrest and transported him to the Lakewood Police Department.
Detectives Gregg and Bayha charged Pastrana with Sexual Assault and Endangering the Welfare of the Child. His bail was set by the Honorable Rochelle Gizinsky, J.S.C., at $250,000 with no 10% option. Nicole’s Law and a no victim contact order were implemented. The defendant was remanded to the Ocean County Jail in lieu of bail.
On July 21, 2014, as part of a continued investigation, Det. Joseph Gregg and Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit Detective Melissa Matthews responded to Chavez-Rosas’ Marlin Avenue residence, placed him under arrest and transported him to the Lakewood Police Department.
Detectives Gregg and Matthews charged Chavez-Rosas with Criminal Sexual Contact, Endangering the Welfare of a Child and Providing Alcohol to a Minor. His bail was set by the Honorable Rochelle Gizinski, J.S.C. at $70,000 with no 10% option. Nicole’s Law and a no victim contact order were implemented. The suspect was remanded to the Ocean County Jail in lieu of bail.
Additionally, Department Criminalistics Investigations Unit Detectives Don Fazio and John Anderson assisted in the investigation with special evidence collection.
The media and the public are reminded that criminal charges are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
LUIS MENES PASTRANA
JUAN CARLOS CHAVEZ-ROSAS
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