Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato announced the arrest yesterday of Istvan Mehesz, 58, of Lakewood for an alleged child sexual assault incident.
Police said in a joint investigation conducted by Ocean County Special Victims Unit Det. Alex Dasti and Lakewood Police Det. Michael Cavallo, with assistance from the New Jersey State Police, they charged the defendant with two (2) counts of Aggravated Sexual Assault, three (3) counts of Sexual Assault, and three (3) counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
Authorities said the arrest stems from the partnering detective's investigation into the alleged sexual assault of a 12-year-old female victim over the past year by Mehesz.
The cooperating investigators overcame the Hungarian defendant’s inability to speak English by utilizing NJSP Trooper Kristina Pados as an interpreter in the case.
Officials said Senior Assistant Prosecutor Christine Lento approved the above charges after reviewing the collected investigative facts.
The defendant was remanded to the Ocean County Jail pending his detention hearing. Nicole’s Order (No contact with victim) is mandated by the court.
The public is reminded that criminal charges are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.