Resident of Society Hill in Bernards charged in sexual assault and sexual misconduct incidents in Union County
A Bernards Township man who served nearly 17 years in prison for a 1989 sexual assault is facing a group of new charges in connection with a pair of alleged sexual crimes occurring during the last year, the Union County Prosecutor's Office announced on Monday, July 12.
Donald Andrews, 40, was arrested late last week and is being held in Union County Jail on $600,000 bail, authorities said. Andrews is facing charges including first-degree aggravated sexual assault, first-degree kidnapping and fourth-degree criminal sexual contact, according to the prosecutor's office.
Andrews initially was charged only with the criminal sexual contact in connection with a June 2 incident in which investigators believe he engaged in improper sexual contact with a minor, authorities said. The alleged victim in the case contacted the Roselle Park Police Department, which launched an investigation, according to the prosecutor's office. Andrews shortly thereafter was identified as the suspect in the case and charged, but he remained at large for several weeks, authorities said.
After his arrest, the additional charges of sexual assault and kidnapping were filed against Andrews in connection with an incident that occurred on Oct. 31, 2009, according to the prosecutor's office. In that case, Andrews is accused of holding an adult woman against her will and sexually assaulting her. That incident, occurring in Elizabeth, happened less than two years after Andrews was released from state prison in January 2008, according to state Department of Corrections records.
Andrews was jailed for first-degree aggravated sexual assault and second-degree assault in connection with a 1989 incident that occurred in Essex County, the records indicate.
Andrews was arrested last week near his home in the township's Society Hill condominium complex after local police were notified of two outstanding warrants against him, according to Bernards Police Lt. Ted Reese. Officer Anthony Severino made the arrest, assisted by Lt. Steve Elder and Sgt. Mike Shimsky, after stopping Andrews's vehicle on Woodward Lane, Reese said.
The investigation into this case is active and anyone with information on either incident is being asked to call Union County Detective Peter Klaskin at 908-527-4589.
By Staff Writer Mark Spivey with contribution from Staff Writer Linda Sadlouskos