Summit Man Arrested For Alleged Sexual Assault Of 19-Year-Old Woman

Summit resident Cyrus Fakroddin was arrested and charged Wednesday with first Degree Aggravated Sexual Assault against a person who was physically helpless and is being held in Union County Jail on $250,000 bail, according to a press release from the Union County Prosecutor's Office.

Fakroddin, who is most known for walking his goat, Cocoa, around Summit and Manhattan, was arrested by members of the Union County Prosecutor's Office and the Summit Police Department without incident, according to the release.

According to the investigation, Fakroddin encountered a mentally and physically incapacitated 19-year-old woman in Manhattan during the early morning hours of Nov. 17, 2012, said Albert Cernadas, Jr, Union County First Assistant Prosecutor, in a press release issued Thursday. Earlier that evening, the victim was with friends at a nightclub in Manhattan.

"It is alleged that Fakroddin transported the woman in his van to his home in Summit where he sexually assaulted the victim. When the victim regained consciousness several hours later, she had no memory of meeting Fakroddin or traveling to his house. She was able to contact a friend and was returned to Manhattan a short time later," Cernadas said in the press release. "Suspecting she had been sexually assaulted, the victim sought medical attention in New York and after an examination, the criminal case was transferred to Union County."

The investigation, which included securing physical forensic evidence and gathering statements, was conducted by Summit Police Department Det. Michael Freeman and Sgt. Peter Frank, and Det. Patricia Gusmano of the Prosecutor's Office, according to the release.

This is an active investigation and "the criminal charges are mere accusations" at this time, as the "defendents are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law," according to the release. Anyone with information is urged to contact Det. Gusmano at (908) 527-4589.

Fakroddin has been featured in various media outlets in the past.

In March, Fakroddin and his goat, Cocoa, caused a stir after found eating pizza together in Manhattan. He was featured in Huffington Post and New York Magazine.

Prior to that, Cocoa was the subject a fairly indepth profile in the Star-Ledger in 2010.