Alleged relationship with teen lands man, 24, in jail
BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer

MANALAPAN - The matter of a Marlboro resident who has been charged with multiple violations by Manalapan police has been taken over by the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office, but no new charges have been brought against the individual.

According to a press release issued by the Manalapan Police Department, Pablo DeJesus, 24, was apprehended on Nov. 28 in the basement of an acquaintance's home by members of the Manalapan and Marlboro police departments.

The arrest came a week after Manalapan police searched the Iron Ore Road home of a 15-year-old Manalapan girl who police allege was the girlfriend of DeJesus. It was the culmination of a coordinated effort between the two police departments that was initiated after Manalapan Detective Michael A. Ratta received an anonymous tip.

DeJesus was charged by Manalapan police with sexual assault, endangering the welfare of a child, possession of a controlled dangerous substance believed to be marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of under 50 grams of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Following his arrest on Nov. 28, DeJesus was taken to the Monmouth County jail, Freehold Township, with bail set at $120,000, according to First Assistant Prosecutor Peter E. Warshaw Jr., who told the News Transcript that no additional charges have been lodged against DeJesus.

According to police, an investigation was started after Ratta received an anonymous tip reporting there was a sexual relationship going on between DeJesus and the girl from Manalapan. The report was that the relationship had been going on since April.

Ratta's investigation indicated that De- Jesus had been "essentially living in a makeshift room in the female juvenile's parents' unfinished basement." Because the girl who was involved with DeJesus is a juvenile, police are not releasing her parents' names or exact address.

A Nov. 21 search of the Iron Ore Road home by police led not only to the discovery of DeJesus' makeshift living quarters, but also to the discovery that he had been cultivating "several marijuana plants for future distribution and use with juvenile."

Also found, according to police, were packaging materials, a grinder and a digital scale for use in the sale and distribution of marijuana.

Manalapan Police Chief Stuart Brown said, "The Manalapan Police Department will not tolerate criminals who prey on our children. We will continue to aggressively investigate sexual predators who threaten our kids and community."

Also assisting in the investigation were Detective Lt. Natalie Zuppa from the Prosecutor's Office and representatives from the New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services.

Anyone with additional information about this case is asked to call Manalapan Detective Michael A. Ratta at (732) 547- 8940.