The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
A 15-year-old girl who met a man with whom she became acquainted online in a New Jersey hotel room reportedly broke free and hid inside of a gas station convenience store after he allegedly sexually assaulted her.
On July 7, 21-year-old Xavier Patten and a female that he had allegedly been talking to on the internet made a plan to meet in person at a motel in Jersey City.
Patten was already inside the room when the young woman arrived wearing a red dress and joined him.
While they were behind closed doors, the female, who was actually 15-years-old, alleged that Patten made sexual advances toward her while they were hanging out. She reportedly turned him down, but the young woman said that he persisted against her wishes.
At some point during the alleged assault, the girl found the ability to bite Patten’s finger causing him to recoil so she could escape from the room.
The girl ran until she found an open gas station convenience store close to the motel. She went inside and told one of the employees that she had been sexually assaulted, and the girl was given permission to stay in the back of the store so she could remain out of sight to wait for the police.
When the authorities arrived, the employee was said to have reported that a man believed to be Patten came into the store a little while after the girl did, and he informed the alleged suspect that she was not currently at the location.
The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office began to investigate the claim and obtained a warrant for Patten’s arrest 8 days later on July 15.
Patten is facing charges for suspicion of two counts of sexual assault, and one count of endangering the welfare of a child.
A detention hearing took place on July 19 at the Hudson Superior Court, and Patten’s attorney was granted an extension when he asked for the time needed to collect the necessary documents proving that the girl had introduced herself to the suspect as a 25-year-old woman. The lawyer said he has additional proof that the young lady lists her age as 25 on her social media profile.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a sex crime, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.