FREEHOLD – A Tinton Falls man has pled guilty in connection with endangering the welfare of a minor at The Boondocks Fishery in Red Bank, where they had previously worked together, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced on Tuesday.
Trinidad Mendez-Romero, 32, pled guilty on Wednesday May 3, 2023, in front of Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Chad N. Cagan, to third-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child and disorderly persons Harassment, Offensive Touching. During the proceeding, Mendez-Romero admitted that while working together, he touched the victim on her breasts in an offensive manner.
The case involved multiple incidents of sexual contact at two separate Boondocks Fishery locations. The incidents took place on various dates between June of 2020 and February 10, 2021.
Mendez-Romero will face probation, no victim contact, and no contact with anyone under the age of 18 when he issentenced before Judge Cagan on July 28, 2023.
Cases are still pending for two other defendants in the case, Eduardo Jimenez-Berdejo, 36, and Jesus E. Reyes-Rodriguez, 36, both of Red Bank.
Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact Red Bank Police Department Detective John Camarca at 732-530-2700.
The case is assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Stephanie Dugan.
Mendez-Romero is represented by Robert Honecker, Esq. of Ocean Twp.
Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.
