Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey and Chief Rick Abrams of the Highland Park Police Department announce that a man from Highland Park has been arrested and charged with the kidnapping and sexual assault of a 16-year old teenager from Pennsylvania that he met on social media.
Andrew X. Carnegie-Blackman, 23, of Highland Park was arrested and charged yesterday with first-degree kidnapping, first-degree human trafficking, two counts of sexual assault in the second degree, criminal sexual contact in the fourth degree, two counts of endangering the welfare of a child in the second degree, and tampering with physical evidence in the fourth degree.
On June 26, 2019, Highland Park Police were notified by the West Newton Pennsylvania Police of a runaway and were asked to check a Highland Park residence for a missing 16-year old. Police responded to the residence and located the minor. Mr. Carnegie-Blackman was subsequently taken into custody on June 27, 2019.
A preliminary investigation determined that Mr. Carnegie-Blackman drove to Pennsylvania to pick up the 16-year old after they met on social media and brought the minor back to his New Jersey residence.
The investigation is active and continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call Sergeant Jason Culver or Detective Sean McGraw of the Highland Park Police Department at (732) 572-3800.
Mr. Carnegie-Blackman is scheduled for an initial court appearance this afternoon in New Brunswick Superior Court.
As is the case with all criminal defendants, the charges against Mr. Carnegie-Blackman are merely accusations and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.