Story perspectives

Surge in Sexual Assault Cases Raises Alarm Nationwide

2/2/2026

Center

Sexual Assault Arrests

Najeebullah Arab, 39, faces charges of kidnap, rape, and sexual assault involving two women in Wantage, Oxfordshire.
Lenin Vallejo, 20, was arrested for sexually assaulting a Rutgers student in her dorm room in Piscataway, New Jersey.
Jeffrey Gilliland, 67, has been charged with seven counts of rape involving a 6-year-old child in Scioto County, Ohio.
Jacob Todd Koser, 24, was arrested in Oregon for multiple sexual abuse charges linked to victims he met on dating apps.
These cases underscore ongoing concerns about sexual violence and child protection in the United States.

Right

Predators Arrested Nationwide

Thomas Stokes, a 49-year-old handyman from Arkansas, was arrested for raping multiple children and claimed biblical justification for his actions; four victims reported assaults over several years.
One victim stated that Stokes pressured them into drug use, and he is currently held on a $1.5 million bond.
In Ohio, 67-year-old Jeffrey Gilliland faces seven counts of rape involving a six-year-old child, with an investigation ongoing.
Noel Centala, 54, from Conway, received a 15-year sentence for sexually assaulting a minor and will register as a sex offender upon release.

History

Historical Context

The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) was enacted in 1974 to combat rising child abuse concerns in the U.S., leading to a significant increase in reported cases. By 1990, reports had risen by 25%. Recent arrests, including those of Jeffrey Gilliland and Thomas Stokes, underscore ongoing challenges in child protection, highlighting the need for continued enforcement of protective laws to safeguard vulnerable children.

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Sexual Assault Arrests

Najeebullah Arab, 39, faces charges of kidnap, rape, and sexual assault involving two women in Wantage, Oxfordshire.
Lenin Vallejo, 20, was arrested for sexually assaulting a Rutgers student in her dorm room in Piscataway, New Jersey.
Jeffrey Gilliland, 67, has been charged with seven counts of rape involving a 6-year-old child in Scioto County, Ohio.
Jacob Todd Koser, 24, was arrested in Oregon for multiple sexual abuse charges linked to victims he met on dating apps.
These cases underscore ongoing concerns about sexual violence and child protection in the United States.

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