Story by Ethan
On May 22nd, 2026, the arrest of Mateo Liriano, age 21, was announced by Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renée M. Robeson. Mateo Liriano was charged with first-degree kidnapping, N.J.S.A. 2C:13-1b(2), first-degree Aggravated Sexual Assault (N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2a(3)), second-degree Aggravated Assault (N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1b(1)), second-degree Sexual Assault (N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2c(1)), second-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child (N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4a(1)), third-degree Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact (N.J.S.A. 2C:14-3a) and fourth-degree Endangering (N.J.S.A. 2C:24-7.1(a)(2)). The arrest and charges against Mateo Liriano were a result of an investigation handled by the Tewksbury Township Police Department, Clifton Township Police Department, Readington Township Police Department, and the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office.
According to the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office, on May 22nd, 2026, Hunterdon County Communications received a 911 call for a residence in Tewksbury Township, New Jersey. The caller was the homeowner who was reporting that an unknown woman was attempting to gain access into the residence. The homeowner also reported that the unidentified female appeared emotionally distressed and that she’d been sexually assaulted in the nearby woods. Responding officers from the Tewksbury Township Police Department, Clifton Township Police Department, and Readington Township Police Department, were told by the victim that she had been sexually assaulted in the nearby wooded area before transporting her to Hunterdon Medical Center.
An investigation into the reported assault identified Mateo Liriano as the individual responsible for sexually assaulting the victim. According to the investigation Mateo Liriano and the victim met through the social media app Wizz before staying in contact via SnapChat. This led to the two meeting in Tewksbury Township once before the defendant invited the victim to a party. Mateo Liriano arranged an Uber to transport the victim to his location and upon arrival the two walked until the Uber drove away under the pretense of not being able to enter the party’s residence. While walking down the roadway Mateo Liriano provided the victim with alcohol that led to her intoxication before leading them towards the wooded area under the guise of showing her someplace. When in the woods the defendant then proceeded to demand sexual acts from the victim. When the victim refused and attempted to put her clothes back on, Mateo Liriano forced her to consume more alcohol and restricted her movement via choking by wrapping his arm around her neck.
The Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office stated that the charges against Mateo Liriano are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
