Prom night rape in New Jersey

SEASIDE HEIGHTS, NJ

Investigators say that night has led to the arrest of a student who attends Northern Valley Regional High School in Old Tappan.

19-year-old Matthias Kabete is now facing charges of aggravated criminal sexual contact.

"They usually go drink and have fun and sometimes people do get out of control," said Jacqueline Prior, a former high school student.

School officials who did not respond to messages are quoted in the Bergen Record saying, "If the allegation is true about one of our students then we are, of course, very concerned for him and very, very concerned for the victim."

Eyewitness News has learned that the victim passed out and was placed in a room at the inn.

When others went to check on her, the suspect was allegedly found in the room.

"This being the nightmare scenario for any parent, we want to continue to educate more and more parents to have a dialogue with their children," Bergen County Sheriff Leo McGuire said.

The sheriff counsels parents and students this time of the year on the dangers they could face.

"You have to arm yourself with information that not everybody is your friend even though you may go to school with them. So you have to be wary," McGuire said.

School officials are also reportedly offering counseling to students at the high school.

In the meantime, the investigation in Ocean County is continuing.

Matthias Kabete, who is on a student visa form Zimbabwe, had his first court appearance at the Ocean County Justice Center, and is being held on $125,000 bail.

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