Story by Ethan
On March 20th, 2026, the arrest of Asad Hasanov, age 31, was announced by Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renée M. Robeson. Asad Hasanov was charged with first-degree Kidnapping, third-degree Criminal Restraint, and fourth-degree Tampering with Evidence. The arrest and charges against Asad Hasanov were a result of an investigation handled by New Jersey State Police.
According to the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office, Asad Hasanov got in contact with the victim online, subsequently meeting in person in Akron, Ohio, on March 4th, 2026. After meeting up Asad Hasanov restrained the victim with tape before traveling across several states during which the victim was sexually assaulted by the defendant on multiple occasions. On March 5th, 2026, during a stop at the TA Truck Stop in Bloomsbury, New Jersey, the defendant let the victim use the restroom. While inside of the truck stop building the victim managed to notify an employee at the information desk about the kidnapping. Subsequently the victim was transported to Hunterdon Medical Center for an evaluation after New Jersey State Police responded to the location. Later the same day investigators from New Jersey State Police located and apprehended Asad Hasanov without incident in Hillsborough, New Jersey.
The Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office stated that the charges against Asad Hasanov are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
