By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Somerset County announced that on June 14, defendant Raul Elias, 59, was sentenced to four years in New Jersey State Prison on his conviction for Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
Officials stated the sentence imposed by Somerset County Superior Court, Peter J. Tober, requires Mr. Elias to register as a sex offender under Megan’s Law and places him on Parole Supervision for Life.
During sentencing, Judge Tober noted that defendant Elias took little responsibility for his actions, officials said.
According to officials, on March 18, 2022, the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office received information that a minor reported that she had explicit contact with a man in Manville when she was 8 years old.
The investigation into the alleged explicit contact was conducted by detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and detectives from the Manville Police Department, officials say.
Authorities say the man was identified as Raul Elias, and he was charged with second-degree explicit contact with a child under the age of 13 and third-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child by explicit conduct.
Officials said a trial was conducted and lasted for three days, including jury selection and deliberations.
On March 13, 2024, a Somerset County Jury convicted Elias of third degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child, according to officials.
During the trial, offciaisl say, the State was represented by First Assistant Prosecutor Annemarie Mueller, Assistant Prosecutor Lauren Fox, and Litigation Paralegal Supervisor Amy Vandergoot.