EATONTOWN – A 36-year-old man has been sentenced to 48 years in state prison for committing several sexual assaults against two young girls, officials said.
Gerell F. Schmitt must serve a minimum of 85 percent of that sentence before the possibility of parole, in accordance with New Jersey’s No Early Release Act (NERA), under the terms set down during a hearing on June 9.
Investigation began back in September 2020 when a relative of the two victims first reported the abuse to authorities. Both girls were under the age of 13 at the time the crimes, officials said.
Police ultimately determined that Schmitt had committed the crimes at several locations across Monmouth County, including his home in Eatontown.
Schmitt was arrested in October 2020. He stood trial earlier this year, with both victims testifying. A jury ultimately convicted him on charges of first-degree Aggravated Sexual Assault, second-degree Attempted Aggravated Sexual Assault, two counts of second-degree Sexual Assault, and second- and third-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
“There are no greater responsibilities we have as an Office than aggressively investigating and prosecuting the despicable actions of individuals who prey upon our vulnerable citizens, purely for their own selfish gratification,” Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago said. “The outcome of this case is emblematic of that notion.”
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