36-Year-Old Former Eatontown Man Will Spend Nearly 5 Decades In Prison For The Sexual Assaults Of 2 Young Girls

Monday, July 15, 2024, 4:45 P.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

FREEHOLD, NJ.- Last Tuesday, a 36-year-old former Eatontown, New Jersey man appeared in Monmouth County Superior Court and was sentenced to 48 years in New Jersey State Prison in connection with repeated sex crimes against two young girls over multiple years that began a little more than a decade ago.

     According to Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago, on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, Gerell F. Schmitt, 36, appeared in Monmouth County Superior Court and was sentenced by the Honorable Jill G. O’Malley to 48 years in State Prison subject to the No Early Release Act, which will require Schmitt to serve 85% of his custodial term before becoming eligible for parole.

     Judge O’Malley ordered that upon release from prison, Schmitt would be required to register as a sex offender under Megan’s Law Registration Requirements. Schmitt will also be on parole supervision for life.

     The sentence stems from an investigation that began in September 2020, when Detective Christopher Casson launched an inquiry into Schmitt’s activities when a relative of the two girls first reported the abuse to authorities. 

     Both girls were under the age of thirteen at the time the sex crimes were committed against them. The investigation ultimately determined that Schmitt had committed the crimes at several locations across Monmouth County, including Schmitt’s residence in Eatontown, New Jersey, the Prosecutor’s Office reported. 

     Following the investigation, Schmitt was taken into custody and charged. Earlier this year, Schmitt stood trial with both girls testifying. After deliberating, a Monmouth County jury found Schmitt guilty of the charges of first-degree Aggravated Sexual Assault; second-degree Attempted Aggravated Sexual Assault; two counts of second-degree Sexual Assault; and second and third-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child.

     “There are no greater responsibilities we have as an Office than aggressively investigating and prosecuting the despicable actions of individuals who prey upon our vulnerable citizens, purely for their own selfish gratification,” Prosecutor Santiago said. “The outcome of this case is emblematic of that notion.”