7 Years Of Sexual Assault On Child In Lakewood Draws 15-Year Sentence

LAKEWOOD, NJ — A Lakewood man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for sexually assaulting a child repeatedly from the time she was 5 until she was 12 years old, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office announced.

Norman Medina, 45, will be ineligible for parole for 15 years under the sentence imposed by Ocean County Superior Court Judge Rochelle Gizinski on Dec. 6, Atlantic County officials said.

Atlantic County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Erica Halayko and Assistant Prosecutor Julia Miller handled the prosecution because of a conflict in the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, officials said.

Medina pled guilty to aggravated sexual assault of a minor on July 14 before Gizinski. The Atlantic County prosecutor's office said the joint investigation found Medina had sexually assaulted the child on several occasions at his home in Lakewood.

The investigation by the Ocean County and Atlantic County prosecutor's offices, Lakewood police and New Jersey State Police led to Medina admitting he had intentionally touched the girl.

The girl, whose current age was not revealed, spoke at the sentencing hearing, officials said.

She was "extremely brave in coming forward and facing her abuser today at sentencing," Halaykosaid.

"This child spoke not only for herself but for all victims of sexual abuse, giving courage to those
who might not feel they are ready to come forward to speak out against their abusers," Halayko said.

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