MONMOUTH COUNTY — A Long Branch man has been arrested and charged with sexually assaulting two children over several years, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced Monday.
45-year-old Raul F. Lopez, also known as Lee Escobar, faces charges including first-degree aggravated sexual assault, second-degree sexual assault, two counts of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child and fourth-degree criminal sexual contact.
Investigators said the crimes involved a girl under 13, allegedly assaulted repeatedly from 2020 to 2023, and a boy under 16, who was victimized in 2023.
Lopez turned himself in at Long Branch Police Department headquarters earlier this month and was taken into custody without incident. He remains held at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution after Judge Vincent N. Falcetano Jr. ordered his continued detention during a Nov. 21 hearing.
Anyone with information about Lopez or his activities is asked to contact Long Branch Police Detective David Stone at 732-222-1000. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Sevan Biramian of the Special Victims Bureau. Lopez is represented by attorney Paul R. Edinger of Long Branch.
