June 16, 2004
TRENTON
— A Bordentown man was indicted today on three counts of first-degree
aggravated sexual assault for the Valentine’s Day attack of a 36-year-old
woman, Mercer County Prosecutor Joseph L. Bocchini Jr. announced.
In
addition to the aggravated sexual assault charges, HOWARD S. HUGHES, 32,
of the first block of East Union Street, Bordentown, was also indicted on one
count of aggravated criminal sexual contact (third degree), one count of
criminal trespass (fourth degree), one count of criminal restraint
(third-degree), one count of aggravated assault (second degree) and various
weapons offenses.
According
to police reports, Hughes forced his way into the victim’s Lawrence Township
residence around 6:30 a.m. on February 14, 2004. Over the next four hours, Hughes restrained the victim using
rope and tape, and assaulted her multiple times.
The victim eventually managed to untie her hands and call for help.
Lawrence
Township police arrested Hughes later that day at his Bordentown apartment.
He remains in the Mercer County Correction Center in lieu of $200,000
bail.
Assistant
Prosecutor Robin Scheiner, chief of the Child Abuse/Sexual Assault Unit,
presented the case to the grand jury.
Despite having been indicted, every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.