A violent sex offender has been charged in the sexual assault of a 12-year-old Pleasantville girl who was on her way to school.
Horece McZeke, 44, is accused of attacking the girl Dec. 2 in the 400 block of West Brighton Avenue.
The investigation brought Pleasantville police to Galloway Township, where McZeke recently bought a home in the 200 block of Jimmie Leeds Road.
A search warrant was executed at the home last Wednesday when McZeke was first arrested after it was found he had not properly registered under Megan’s Law.
McZeke is under lifetime supervision after pleading guilty in a home invasion robbery and rape of an Egg Harbor Township woman in 1996. He and two others broke into the woman’s home, robbed her, and sexually assaulted her.
He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 11 years in prison. He served about 2½. He has since had drug and gun arrests.
McZeke was already in the Atlantic County Justice Facility when he was charged Wednesday with three counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, third-degree aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and endangering the welfare of a child.
“We would like to thank the community for their assistance and patience while this crime was being investigated,” Deputy Chief James Williams said. “Our continued thoughts and prayers go out to the victim’s family during this difficult time.
He is awaiting a detention hearing.
“Increased police presence will remain in effect while our kids are walking to and from school,” he added. “We ask our community to continue to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police.”
