JACKSON – A 27-year-old local handyman has been arrested after he sexually assaulted a child, police said.
On April 11, parents of a juvenile girl reported to Officer Matthew Kalbach from the Jackson Township Police Department that their daughter was sexually assaulted by a handyman who was hired to do work in their home. The suspect allegedly touched the child’s buttocks and then on another occasion, exposed himself to her and touched her with his genitals.
Through investigation detectives identified the suspect as Carlos Morales-Cortes, 27, of Jackson, and he was subsequently arrested on April 20.
Morales-Cortes was charged with aggravated sexual assault with a victim less than 13 years old and endangering the welfare of a child by engaging in sexual conduct. He was processed and later lodged in the Ocean County Jail.
Captain Steve Laskiewicz thanked the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department for their assistance in the investigation which led to the identification and arrest of the suspect.
The media and the public are reminded that any persons arrested or charged with any offenses or crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
