5 charged in gang rape of girl, 7, in NJ apartment

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5 charged in gang rape of girl, 7, in NJ apartment


AP – Trenton Police Capt. Joseph Jurniak, second from right, along with Mercer County Prosecutor Joe Bocchini, … .By ANGELA DELLI SANTI and BETH DEFALCO, Associated Press Writer Angela Delli Santi And Beth Defalco, Associated Press Writer – 23 mins ago

TRENTON, N.J. – Two men and three teenage boys were charged Saturday with gang-raping a 7-year-old girl who was sold by her 15-year-old stepsister during a party at a crime-ridden apartment building in the state's capital, police said.

Details of the arrests were announced at a Saturday evening news conference outside police headquarters. Police Director Irving Bradley said detectives had been working around the clock since the crime was reported March 28.

"We did get a lot of cooperation from the community, which helped break this case," Bradley said.

Those arrested included Gregory Joseph Leary, 20, in custody since Friday, when he was charged with having sex with the 15-year-old. The other four are Timear Lewis, 19, and boys ages 13, 14 and 17. Each was charged with aggravated sexual assault and child endangerment.

Prosecutors likely would seek to try all of them as adults, Mercer County prosecutor Joseph Bocchini said.

The suspects, who were to be assigned public defenders, were being held Saturday night and couldn't be contacted for comment. There was no telephone listing for Lewis; a telephone for a G. Leary had been disconnected.

The case shocked residents of the gritty Rowan Towers apartment building, where three of those arrested live, police Capt. Joseph Juniak said.

Building management has stepped up its security presence there and promised additional safety measures. Residents have expressed skepticism that the apartments would become safer.

Police say the 15-year-old girl went to a party with some men at Rowan Towers on March 28 and the younger girl tagged along because she was worried about her stepsister's safety. They say the 15-year-old sold sex to men and boys there, then took money to let them touch the younger girl. They say the touching turned to forcible sex as at least seven men raped the 7-year-old.

Additional arrests are expected, police said.

Before Saturday's arrest announcement, the 15-year-old had been charged with promoting prostitution, aggravated sexual assault and other crimes. Police have not released her name, and she remained in juvenile detention Saturday night.

Mayor Doug Palmer, who met with the 7-year-old girl and her family in his office on Thursday, described their ordeal as a "torment."

"They're in a safe place right now," he said. "I would ask that the community embrace this family — they are going through a lot."

Palmer gave the girl a stuffed bunny rabbit for Easter. He said the family is getting counseling and indicated it may be permanently relocated away from the city.

He credited the police force for its hard work but said the investigation into "this heinous crime" isn't done.

"We're not finished because everyone who is responsible is still not arrested," he said. "The police will not rest until we get every individual who was involved in this."

Police earlier in the week urged residents to come forward, but neighbors said they were scared of retaliation from gangs that prowl the streets if they spoke up.

Rowan Towers sits on a stretch of West State Street near downtown Trenton and is surrounded by blocks of abandoned, boarded-up homes.

City Councilwoman Annette Lartique, who represents the area where the crime occurred, said the high-rise has been plagued by crime.

Besides the parents and the 7-year-old, Palmer met with a grandmother, two younger children and other relatives.

"They were understandably upset," Palmer said. "They felt like they were victims. They said, 'People are blaming us.' We need to stop pointing fingers at the family members. These rapists are the problem, not the family."

Of the girl's parents, the woman is the mother of the 7-year-old girl, and the man is the father of the 15-year-old. They two have toddlers together.

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18 users disliked this comment.sarah Wed Mar 31, 2010 08:20 am PDT Report Abuse Good god...this is absolutely horrifying. What the hell kind of girl would do that to her sister? And for that matter, what the hell kind of men would participate in this?Replies (57) ....1122 users liked this comment
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26 users disliked this comment.Johanna R Wed Mar 31, 2010 08:25 am PDT Report Abuse What an absolutely disgusting and horrifying girl. She needs to be locked up for good and those men that participated should ALL be castrated. Nasty, nasty people.Replies (24) ....0 users liked this comment
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0 users disliked this comment.Rainy T Wed Mar 31, 2010 08:34 am PDT Report Abuse This story absolutely turns my stomach. What the sister did was beyond comprehension, but the boys and men who participated should be executed. There is no recovery or rehabilitation for a man who finds a small child to be sexually appealing. And where the hell are the parents in all of this?Replies (37) ....439 users liked this comment
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12 users disliked this comment.LSI Wed Mar 31, 2010 08:35 am PDT Report Abuse I agree - what kind of sister is this and the men/boys involved = with you Johanna.Replies (9) ....493 users liked this comment
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9 users disliked this comment.rag69 Wed Mar 31, 2010 08:38 am PDT Report Abuse This is a sick sick world.The men the sister the people who dont care. We need help.Replies (13) ....366 users liked this comment
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44 users disliked this comment.WilliamK Wed Mar 31, 2010 08:40 am PDT Report Abuse Want to give odds on how high on drugs the older sister was at time of sale? Sick!Replies (9) ....829 users liked this comment
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13 users disliked this comment.kimh Wed Mar 31, 2010 08:40 am PDT Report Abuse This is disgusting, and having experienced this with my daughter (She was raped by a 15 year old when she was 4) I can tell you what will happen. The sister will be tried as a juvie and do a few month in some cushy treatment center and the men and boys well they may get a few months to a few years. THat is how our wonderful system works and it sucks. Ours happened in IL and the prosecutor, Kathleen Bachman of DuPage county, cut a deal. She assured me that the perpetraitor would serve at least 18-24 months which was the best we could hope for in a treatment center and he only did 9 months and is now having a great time. His life is going on as if nothing happened and we go to counseling every week with our daughter so she can recover. That is the reality of this world and justice system.Replies (66) ....429 users liked this comment
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1181 users disliked this comment.Stefan Wed Mar 31, 2010 08:47 am PDT Report Abuse Uhhhhhh...Hmmm.. I think i just changed my mind on the death penalty, at least for child rape. And where were the parents???? most likely at the local Tea Baggers rally .Replies (91) ....23 users liked this commentThumbs UpThumbs Down606 users disliked this comment.Norris S Wed Mar 31, 2010 08:55 am PDT Report Abuse Wow...This reminds me of a teen version of "Risky Business."
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9 users disliked this comment.3 Dog Mama Wed Mar 31, 2010 09:05 am PDT Report Abuse I couldn't believe what I read. This sister needs some big time help! And the parents not knowing where their children are? Who got this idea going? These "people" are sick and should be put away forever and never see the light of day.Replies (9) ....Comments 1 - 10 of 1723
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