Assault leads police to sex-assault suspect

LONG BRANCH - A West Long Branch man is facing sexual-assault charges after alleged incidents with two female juveniles.

Long Branch Police responded to an Oakwood Avenue residence in West Long Branch for a reported robbery and aggravated assault on Feb. 14, according to police reports.

Julian Hart, 23, told police that he was assaulted while visiting a friend at the Woodrow Wilson homes in Long Branch. Hart said he was in an apartment within the Woodrow Wilson complex listening to music when he was suddenly attacked by a group of males, according to police reports.

Hart also told police that his wallet and laptop computer had been taken during the incident. According to reports, Hart sustained injuries to his neck, face, head and lip as a result of the assault.

Further investigation led police to a 16-year-old male juvenile. Police uncovered evidence that led them to believe that the attack on Hart was in apparent retaliation for Hart allegedly sexually assaulting a female juvenile, according to police reports.

After investigating the allegation, detectives developed information to believe that a sexual assault had been made upon two female juveniles. Police were able to develop the information and charge Hart with one count of sexual assault, one count of aggravated sex assault, and two counts of endangering, according to police.

Hart's bail was set at $300,000 with no 10 percent option, according to police.

On Feb. 21, Parish Jones, 19, and Michael T. Davis, 24, both of Long Branch, turned themselves in at police headquarters in Long Branch on the charges stemming from the assault on Hart. Both were charged with robbery and aggravated assault, according to police reports.

The 16-year-old juvenile was also arrested and charged with robbery and aggravated assault, according to police reports.