Union County Man Charged In Kidnapping, Sexual Assault Of Child

FANWOOD, NJ — A Fanwood man was arrested and charged after police say he coaxed a 12-year-old girl into his car and then brought her back to his home where he sexually assaulted her, Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel announced Tuesday.

Keith Ashley-Drake, 52, is charged with first-degree kidnapping, first-degree aggravated sexual assault, second-degree sexual assault, and third-degree endangering the welfare of a child.

On March 24, the Union County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit were notified by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office that a kidnapping had occurred in Irvington on March 17 connected with a sexual assault in Union County.

An investigation found that around 10 p.m. on March 17, a 12-year-old girl from Irvington was approached by Ashley-Drake while she was walking home from the movies.

The suspect coaxed the girl into his vehicle and took her to his Fanwood home where he sexually assaulted her on March 18.

Ashley-Drake was identified through the investigation as the suspect, and he was arrested on March 31, said Daniel.

Ashley-Drake is currently being held in the Essex County Jail pending a detention hearing on Wednesday, April 5.

This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with further information about Ashley-Drake is being urged to contact Union County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit Sergeant Nick Veltre at 908-347-7330 and Detective Craig Famoso at 908-578-1036.

These criminal charges are mere accusations. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

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