Teenager pleads guilty to raping neighbor, 91 South River man faces up to 18 years in prison under plea agreement BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer SOUTH RIVER - A borough teenager pleaded guilty last week to raping his 91-year-old neighbor a year ago. Jason Jimenez, 19, is expected to be sentenced to 18 years in prison. He would have to serve 85 percent of the term of before being eligible for parole. The victim was home alone when Jimenez entered her Stanton Street house through the rear basement door at around midnight on June 8, 2006. Jimenez, who brandished a knife, raped the elderly woman, then stole money and jewelry and fled the scene. The victim later contacted a relative, who in turn notified police of the sexual assault at 7 a.m. that day. The victim was then admitted to the Rape Crisis Center in Edison. Police arrested Jimenez on Sept. 7 following a joint investigation by the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office and South River police. Their findings, in addition to lab results of DNA analysis, provided authorities with probable cause. Jimenez, who has been held since his arrest at the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center, North Brunswick, on $500,000 bail, will be sentenced Oct. 5 by Judge Barbara Clark Stolte in state Superior Court, New Brunswick. He pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual assault and two weapons charges. In exchange for his guilty plea, charges including burglary, armed robbery and kidnapping were dismissed, according to Assistant Middlesex County Prosecutor Nicole Albert. South River Mayor Robert Szegeti expressed sympathy for the victim and relief that authorities apprehended Jimenez. "I'm pleased that he was caught and that he'll be sentenced," Szegeti said. "I am very sorry for the individual [who was assaulted] and the family for having this happen and having to live with those circumstances." Szegeti said such incidents are rare in the borough. The circumstances of the case, he noted, had a significant impact on the community, and the sentencing of the perpetrator should make it clear that local police and the prosecutor's office will not allow such crimes to go unpunished. "I strongly hope that it does send a message," Szegeti said. "This doesn't happen that often in the borough, and when it does, it creates havoc and we all feel pain for the woman and the family."