A 27-year-old man is facing kidnapping and sexual assault charges after investigators say a 6-year-old girl was taken from her home in Washington Borough, New Jersey. Police found the child returning home on foot less than an hour after she was reported missing during the Labor Day holiday weekend. Authorities say the girl received hospital treatment and that additional evidence supported allegations of sexual assault. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed the suspect was living in the United States unlawfully and said Immigration and Customs Enforcement had lodged a detainer.
| 1) | Police investigation and rescue of the child |
| 2) | Charges filed by Warren County prosecutors |
| 3) | Federal immigration custody request |
| 4) | Suspect’s prior immigration detention |
| 5) | Upcoming court proceedings and legal stakes |
Police investigation and rescue of the child
Washington Township police said the incident occurred during the Labor Day holiday weekend in Washington Borough, Warren County. The 6-year-old girl was reported missing from her home shortly before 3 a.m. Saturday. According to the police account, officers located her within an hour as she was returning home on foot.
Investigators allege that someone broke into the residence and kidnapped the child. She was taken to a hospital for treatment. Police later said they developed additional evidence supporting allegations that the child was sexually assaulted after the kidnapping. Authorities also said the suspect was known to the girl, although the publicly released details did not describe their relationship.
Charges filed by Warren County prosecutors
Police initially arrested Lester Noe Perez-Amador on charges including home-invasion burglary and kidnapping. On Tuesday, Warren County Prosecutor Jessica L. Cardone announced additional charges consisting of two counts of aggravated sexual assault and one count of endangering the welfare of a child.
The charges reflect allegations and have not been adjudicated in court. Prosecutors said the case will proceed through the criminal justice system while investigators and attorneys continue their work. The alleged victim’s age and the reported nighttime break-in prompted a serious response from local authorities.
“Protecting our children is a responsibility we take very seriously, and our commitment does not end with an arrest.”
Federal immigration custody request
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that ICE lodged a detainer after Perez-Amador’s arrest. A detainer is a request that a law enforcement agency notify federal immigration authorities before releasing a person from custody and hold that person for a limited period when legally authorized.
Federal officials said they were urging Washington Township authorities to transfer Perez-Amador to ICE custody so he could face immigration enforcement proceedings. DHS also stated that he was living in the United States unlawfully, but officials did not confirm when or where he entered the country.
Suspect’s prior immigration detention
DHS said Perez-Amador had been arrested in a driving-under-the-influence case and taken into ICE custody for deportation proceedings in March 2024. The agency said he was later released back into the community by the prior administration. The department characterized that release as a failure to remove a person it considered unlawfully present and criminally involved.
The federal account adds an immigration dimension to the New Jersey criminal case, but it does not determine whether Perez-Amador committed the current alleged offenses. Those accusations will be evaluated in state court based on the evidence presented by prosecutors and challenged by the defense.
Upcoming court proceedings and legal stakes
Perez-Amador remains held in the Warren County jail pending his first court appearance. He is scheduled to appear in court on October 19. The case is expected to address the newly filed sexual assault and child endangerment counts, along with the earlier burglary and kidnapping allegations.
Police said first-degree kidnapping under New Jersey law carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, including 25 years of parole ineligibility. The potential penalty depends on the charges ultimately pursued, the evidence, any court rulings and the outcome of the case. Prosecutors said their office would continue pursuing justice while protecting the child’s interests.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | A 6-year-old girl was reported missing shortly before 3 a.m. and found returning home within an hour. |
| 2 | Lester Noe Perez-Amador faces kidnapping, burglary, aggravated sexual assault and child endangerment charges. |
| 3 | The child was taken to a hospital for treatment. |
| 4 | DHS confirmed an ICE detainer and said Perez-Amador was unlawfully present in the United States. |
| 5 | The suspect remains in Warren County jail and is due in court on October 19. |
Summary
The case involves allegations that a child was taken from a New Jersey home and sexually assaulted before being found less than an hour later. State prosecutors have filed multiple serious charges against Perez-Amador, while federal immigration authorities seek custody after his state criminal proceedings. He remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court, and the next scheduled court appearance is October 19.
Frequently Asked Questions
What charges does Lester Noe Perez-Amador face?
He faces charges including home-invasion burglary, kidnapping, two counts of aggravated sexual assault and one count of endangering the welfare of a child.
Where did the alleged incident occur?
Police said the incident occurred in Washington Borough, in Warren County, New Jersey.
When is Perez-Amador due in court?
He is scheduled for his first court appearance on October 19 and remains held in the Warren County jail.
What immigration action has been requested?
DHS said ICE lodged a detainer and is urging local authorities to transfer Perez-Amador into federal immigration custody after the state criminal proceedings allow it.
