Man Flew From California To NJ To Have Sex With Girl, 14: Cops

FRANKLIN, NJ — A man who flew from California to Somerset County is charged with the sexual assault of a minor, said Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson.

Justin R. Ganutan, 22, of Greyhouse Lane in Stockton, California was charged with second-degree sexual assault and third-degree endangering the welfare of a minor.

On Jan. 4 the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Computer Crimes Unit received a tip that Ganutan was having an online relationship with a 14-year-old Somerset County girl and flew from California to New Jersey to meet with the child victim, said Robertson.

The 14-year-old told detectives she had sex with Ganutan two different times in Franklin Township during a trip he took in December 2020.

On Feb. 17, Ganutan was arrested at his home in Califoria by members of the Alameda County SAFE Task Force (Sex and Felony Enforcement Team), Alameda County Sheriff’s Office Transit Crimes Unit and the Stockton (California) Police Department.

Ganutan is currently at the San Joaquin County Jail where he will remain pending extradition proceedings.

Prosecutor Robertson would like to thank DA Inspector Gus Galindo and members of the Alameda County SAFE Task Force (Sex and Felony Enforcement Team), Sergeant Mike Delaray and members of the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office Transit Crimes Unit as well as members of the Stockton Police Department for their assistance in this investigation.

Anyone with information relating to this sexual assault to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office at 9080231-7100 or the Franklin Township Police Department at 732-873-5533 or via the STOPit app.

Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477).

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

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