NEW BRUNSWICK: Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Chief Dennis McFadden of the Carteret Police Department announced today that Kevin Bethea, 60, of Newark, NJ, has been sentenced for the crimes of Attempted Sexual Assault, Terroristic Threats, Criminal Restraint, and Criminal Sexual Contact. 

On September 30, 2016, at approximately 3:00 P.M., Carteret Police responded to a residence in Carteret for a report of a sexual assault. Upon their arrival officers located Bethea and the adult female victim in the residence. The victim reported that Bethea assaulted, threated, and attempted to rape her. 

Bethea was arrested at the residence. Bethea was subsequently indicted for one count of second-degree Attempted Sexual Assault, two counts of third-degree Terroristic Threats, and one count of third-degree Criminal Restraint and one count of fourth-degree Criminal Sexual Contact. 

Following the presentation of evidence by Assistant Prosecutor Kristen Pridgen, a jury convicted Bethea of all charges on July 22, 2021. Bethea was sentenced by the Superior Court Judge Andrea G. Carter on March 17, 2023, to an extended term of 20 years in state prison without parole, as well as Parole Supervision for Life and Megan’s Law registration.