A man who was at large since he was charged with the sexual assault of a child in New Jersey 18 years ago has been arrested in Florida, officials said on Tuesday.
Hellarion Meneses, 49, of Elizabeth, was apprehended by officers from the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office in the city of Kissimmee, the Union County Prosecutor’s Office said. The small city is about 20 miles south of Orlando.
Meneses is accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting a child under the age of 13 in Union County from 2004 to 2006. He fled the area shortly after charges were filed in 2006 and had been considered a fugitive ever since, authorities said.
Meneses is charged with aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child, prosecutors said. He is still in custody in Osceola County, Florida, and is awaiting extradition to New Jersey.
The Union County Prosecutor’s Office is asking anyone with additional information about Meneses to call Special Victims Unit Lt. Janet Lopez at 908-347-8491.
Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.
Nicolas Fernandes may be reached atnfernandes@njadvancemedia.com.
