A 51-year-old Trenton man has been arrested and charged with sexually assaulting two juveniles, Mercer County Prosecutor Janetta Marbrey announced on Sept. 9.
Rasheen Gaither is charged with two counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, two counts of second-degree sexual assault and one count of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child. Prosecutors have filed a motion to detain him pending trial.
Authorities said Gaither sexually assaulted one victim in August while she was staying overnight at his Trenton home and another victim at an illegal cannabis dispensary he operated in the city. Both victims are under the age of 13.
Following reports to police last week, Prosecutor’s Office Detective Michael Staton and Trenton Police Detective Vishan Singh initiated an investigation.
A search warrant was executed Sept. 5 at Gaither’s convenience store, Bagged U, in the 100 block of Pennington Avenue, where detectives seized about four pounds of marijuana and a handgun.
Gaither was arrested outside the business without incident. He faces an additional charge of second-degree certain persons not to possess a handgun.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit at (609) 960-3119 or submit tips anonymously at www.mercercountyprosecutor.com.
Despite the charges, Gaither is presumed innocent unless found guilty in a court of law.
