A New Jersey man who allegedly attempted to solicit a minor for sex in Bensalem Township is finally behind bars following a months-long investigation and a coordinated effort with federal authorities. Jairo Zepeda-Herrera, 34, of Cranbury, New Jersey, surrendered to the Bensalem Township Police Department on Wednesday after a warrant for his arrest remained outstanding for several months.
The investigation began in late 2025 when Zepeda-Herrera allegedly initiated contact with what he believed to be a 13-year-old girl via a social media application. According to police, the suspect expressed explicit romantic and sexual interests, eventually scheduling a meeting to take place on December 30, 2025, while the victim was on winter break from middle school.
When Zepeda-Herrera arrived at the Bensalem residence for the planned encounter, he managed to flee the scene before officers could intercept him. This sparked a search that spanned state lines. Investigators later confirmed that Zepeda-Herrera, originally from Ecuador, had entered the United States illegally.
The Bensalem Police collaborated with the U.S. Marshals Service to track the suspect to his residence in East Windsor, New Jersey. Following pressure from federal agents, Zepeda-Herrera turned himself in this week. He is facing several serious charges, including Attempted Statutory Sexual Assault, Unlawful Contact with Minors, Attempted Indecent Assault, and Corruption of Minors. Authorities emphasized that no children were in actual danger during the undercover operation, which was part of the department’s ongoing efforts to combat internet crimes against children.
Status
Jairo Zepeda-Herrera was arraigned by District Justice Joseph Falcone and is currently being held at the Bucks County Correctional Facility on 10% of $3,000,000 bail.
