A man admitted Friday to sexually assaulting a girl over several years when he stayed with her family in Atlantic City.
Martin Casiano-Roque, now 38, pleaded guilty to second-degree aggravated sexual assault in the abuse that went on from May 22, 2007 to May 21, 2013.
The girl, who was 16 when she reported the abuse, said it began when she was 6 until she was 12. He gave the girl money, and told her not to tell her parents.
In exchange for his plea, Casiano-Roque will be sentenced to a third-degree range, calling for a three-year sentence under the No Early Release Act.
That means he must serve a little more than 2½ years in prison. He has already been in the Atlantic County Justice Facility for about 16 months.
But he first must undergo an assessment by the Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center in Avenel.
If that determines his conduct is “characterized by a pattern of competitive and compulsive behavior,” he could be sentenced there, Superior Court Judge Nancy Ridgway explained to him.
Treatment could be longer than the three-year state prison sentence, she warned.
Casiano-Roque also will have five years’ parole supervision upon his release, and must register as a Megan’s Law offender for life.
But he may not stay in the country that long. Since Casiano-Roque is not a citizen, he could be deported, the judge said.
He spoke through a Spanish interpreter.
The investigation began March 9, 2018, with a referral from the Division of Child Protection and Permanency, according to the affidavit.
Charges were filed Sept. 13, 2019, and Casiano-Roque remained a fugitive until his arrest. His previous defense attorney said he was unaware of the charges.
His sentencing is set for April 6, but Avenel reports usually aren’t ready that quickly.
