FREEHOLD – A Borough man pleaded guilty to picking up a 12-year-old runaway, bringing her back to his house, trapping her in his basement, and repeatedly sexually assaulting her.
Police said Elias Juarez-Hernandez, 45, pleaded guilty to one count of first degree aggravated sexual assault.
He had met the girl on August 10, 2020 at a 7-Eleven in Freehold Borough. She had run away from her home in Marlboro. He told her he could give her a ride, but they had to walk back to his house. Once there, he pushed the child into his basement and sexually assaulted her multiple times throughout the night.
His sentencing is August 20, 2021. Under the plea agreement reached after consultation with the victim’s family, he faces up to 15 years in state prison without parole. He will have to register as a sex offender and be on parole supervision for life.
