A Long Branch man has been arrested and charged with sexually assaulting two children, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced Monday.
Raul F. Lopez, also known as Lee Escobar, 45, faces multiple charges, including first-degree aggravated sexual assault, second-degree sexual assault, two counts of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and fourth-degree criminal sexual contact.
According to prosecutors, there are two victims:
- A girl under 13, who was allegedly assaulted repeatedly between 2020 and 2023, and
- A boy under 16, assaulted in 2023.
The Long Branch Police Department led the investigation. Escobar turned himself in earlier this month and was taken into custody without incident. He is currently being held at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution, after a November 21 detention hearing where Superior Court Judge Vincent N. Falcetano, Jr. ordered he remain jailed as the case moves forward.
Authorities are asking anyone with information about Escobar’s activities to contact Long Branch Police Detective David Stone at 732-222-1000