Crime & Safety

Asbury Park Man Gets 20 Years For Sexual Assault of 11-Year-Old

Didier Villagra, 37, snuck into the child's bedroom and sexually assaulted her, prosecutor says.

FREEHOLD - An Asbury Park man convicted in the June 2014 sexual assault of an 11-year-old girl was sentenced Friday to 20 years in state prison, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni said.

Didier Villagra, 37, of Asbury Park, was found guilty on June 7, 2017, of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, second-degree sexual assault, and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child. The verdict came after a four-week trial before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge David F. Bauman, P.J.Cr.

Villagra was sentenced to 20 years in a New Jersey state prison on the aggravated sexual assault charge. He must serve 85 percent of the sentence, which is subject to the provisions of the No Early Release Act before he can be eligible for parole, Gramiccioni said.

Find out what's happening in Manasquan-Belmarfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The second count of sexual assault was merged with the first count for sentencing purposes. Villagra would also be under parole supervision for five years following his release from state prison. He was also sentenced to a concurrent 10-year prison term for endangering the welfare of a child, the prosecutor said.

Villagra will be required to register pursuant to Megan’s Law and be placed on parole supervision for life.

Find out what's happening in Manasquan-Belmarfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The charges stem from an April 2014 incident in Asbury Park, when Villagra, a household member, entered the victim’s bedroom and sexually assaulted the young girl. The following morning, the victim reported the incident to her mother, Gramiccioni said.

The joint investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Special Victims Bureau and Asbury Park Police Department led to Villagra’s arrest on April 6, 2014.

Photo: Patch file photo

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.