Victory Gardens Man Sentenced to 26 Years For Aggravated Sexual Assault of Juvenile Relative

Published on May 31, 2013

Acting Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announces today that the Honorable Salem Vincent Ahto, J.S.C., retired and serving on recall, sentenced Louis Soto, 43 years old, of Victory Gardens, New Jersey, to 26 years in State Prison in connection with acts including the sexual assault of a juvenile relative.

On February 20, 2013, a jury found the defendant guilty of two counts of First Degree Aggravated Sexual Assault for acts of sexual penetration with a juvenile relative under the age of 16. The jury also found the defendant guilty of three counts of Second Degree Sexual Assault; two counts of Second Degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child; one count of Third Degree Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact; and one count of Fourth Degree Sexual Contact. All guilty findings involved the same victim. The guilty findings were based on the defendant's acts with the juvenile victim between August 2005 and November 2010.

Judge Ahto ordered that the defendant's 26 year sentence is subject to the No Early Release Act, meaning that the defendant is required to serve at least 85 percent of the term prior to being eligible for parole. The court also ordered that the defendant is subject to Megan's Law and Parole Supervision for Life. It was further ordered that the defendant must provide a DNA sample, and pay $4,355 in fines and penalties.

Supervising Assistant Prosecutor/SDAG Meg Rodriguez and Assistant Prosecutor/SDAG Brent Rafuse represented the State at the sentencing.

Acting Morris County Prosecutor Knapp thanks the New Jersey State Police, Netcong Barracks and the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit for the efforts resulting in today's sentence.

Any inquiries can be directed to First Assistant Morris County Prosecutor/SDAG Thomas Zelante at 973-285-6252 or tzelante@co.morris.nj.us.