An undocumented immigrant has been arrested and charged in the kidnapping and sexual assault of a 6-year-old girl in Washington Borough, New Jersey. Authorities have identified the suspect as Lester Noe Perez-Amador, 27.
The incident unfolded during the Labor Day holiday weekend. Washington Township Police reported that Perez-Amador allegedly broke into a home and abducted the child. The girl was reported missing shortly before 3 a.m. on a Saturday and was found on foot approximately one hour later, reportedly returning to her home. She was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Investigators later developed evidence supporting allegations that Perez-Amador sexually assaulted the child after the kidnapping. He was arrested a day after the incident, and authorities stated he was known to the victim.
Perez-Amador was initially charged with home invasion burglary and kidnapping. On Tuesday, Warren County Prosecutor Jessica L. Cardone announced additional charges, including two counts of aggravated sexual assault and one count of endangering the welfare of a child.
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Perez-Amador entered the U.S. illegally. The agency confirmed he was arrested in a DUI case and taken into ICE custody in March 2024, but was released back into the community by the Biden administration. DHS has urged local authorities to transfer Perez-Amador into ICE custody for deportation proceedings.
If convicted of first-degree kidnapping, Perez-Amador faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment with 25 years of parole ineligibility, according to New Jersey law.
He is currently being held in a Warren County jail pending his first court appearance, scheduled for October 19.