TRENTON, N.J. — A 23-year-old Trenton man has been arrested and charged in connection with a brutal sexual assault involving a woman who remains hospitalized, Mercer County Prosecutor Janetta D. Marbrey announced Wednesday.
Jahassan Jones was taken into custody in Trenton on May 7 following a joint investigation by the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and the Trenton Police Department. Authorities said Jones is facing multiple felony charges, including three counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault.
According to investigators, the assault occurred on the evening of May 6. The victim reported that Jones became violent after she refused to engage in sexual intercourse. Police say he struck the woman repeatedly in the head with a rock, knocking her to the ground, and then stabbed her with a sharp piece of glass before removing her clothing and sexually assaulting her.
Jones is also charged with two counts of second-degree aggravated assault, two counts of third-degree aggravated assault with a weapon, and one count of third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance after heroin was found on him during his arrest.
Prosecutor’s office moves to detain suspect pending trial
Prosecutors have filed a motion to detain Jones pending trial, citing the severity of the charges and risk to public safety. The victim is receiving treatment at a local hospital for multiple serious injuries sustained during the attack.
“The investigation is ongoing,” Marbrey said, encouraging anyone with information to contact the Special Victims Unit directly. Officials have released contact information for SVU Sergeant Sherika Salmon and Detective Michael Staton.