Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Beachwood Police Chief Robert Tapp announced today the arrests of two individuals living in the State of Missouri on first degree Aggravated Sexual Assault charges.  The charges emanate from incidents which occurred in the Borough of Beachwood between 2001 and 2007.

Pedro Manzano, 46, of Cameron, Missouri, was arrested and charged with two counts of Aggravated Sexual Assault in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2a; Sexual Assault in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2b; and Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-3a.  He is currently lodged in the Clinton County (Missouri) Jail.  Manzano has agreed to be extradited to New Jersey to answer for these charges.  He will thereafter be lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.

Juan Manzano, 52, of St. Joseph, Missouri, was arrested and charged with Aggravated Sexual Assault in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2a and Sexual Assault in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2b.  He is currently lodged in the Buchanan County (Missouri) Jail, and is contesting extradition to New Jersey.

The defendants were arrested following an investigation that commenced as a result of the victims coming forward and disclosing acts of sexual abuse to detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office and Beachwood Police Department.  It was determined through investigation that the perpetrators of the abuse presently reside in Missouri.  Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victim’s Unit traveled to Missouri and arrested the Manzanos with the assistance of the Cameron Police Department and St. Joseph Police Department on September 17, 2019.

“While the public should take comfort in the fact that these suspects are in custody, this remains an ongoing investigation and additional charges may be forthcoming.  Anyone with additional information concerning these individuals should contact Sergeant Jason Steele or Detective Stephanie Bayha of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 929-2027, or Detective David Bowden of the Beachwood Police Department at (732) 341-1242,” Prosecutor Billhimer stated.

Prosecutor Billhimer extends his gratitude to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victim’s Unit and Beachwood Police Department Detective Bureau, as well as the Cameron Police Department, St. Joseph Police Department, Clinton County Sheriff’s Department, and Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department — all of Missouri — for their hard work and combined assistance in apprehending these defendants.

The public and media are reminded that all defendants are innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.