Trenton Bar Owner Arrested on Multiple Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking Charges
TRENTON — The owner of several well-known bars in Trenton, Gerald Araya, 44, from Ewing, has been arrested following a county raid on three of his establishments on Wednesday. Araya faces numerous charges of sexual assault involving a job applicant and three former employees, as reported by the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office.
Araya, who owns El Catador Lounge and Restaurant, Dubai Lounge, Mill Hill Saloon, and Trenton Social, bought Mill Hill Saloon and Trenton Social in 2023. These venues have long been popular in the Capital City for meetings and events.
During the raid, law enforcement officials arrested Araya at Mill Hill Saloon on South Broad Street without incident. Search warrants were also executed at his other businesses, El Catador and Dubai, both located on the 900 block of New York Ave., and at Araya’s residence in Ewing.
Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo Onofri announced on Thursday that the investigation, conducted jointly with Trenton Police, Lawrence Township Police, and county authorities, led to Araya being charged with five counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, one count of first-degree sexual assault, two counts of second-degree sexual assault, one count of first-degree kidnapping, two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact, and one count of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child. The investigation began after a woman applying for a job at Dubai Lounge reported an assault by Araya last month.
According to the victim, during her job interview at Dubai Lounge, Araya offered to show her his other bars in the city. After leaving Dubai with him and visiting another bar, Araya made her several drinks, insisting she drink them to understand what she would be serving customers. The victim reported feeling ill and wanting to go home, after which she blacked out. She later woke up naked in a strange room, being sexually assaulted by Araya. The investigation determined the room was a motel in Lawrence Township, where Araya had taken her while she was incapacitated.
Through further investigation, authorities identified three additional victims, all of whom provided crucial information.
“This investigation was truly a cooperative effort and a perfect example of how successful law enforcement can be when we work together,” Onofri stated. “From the lead detectives who operated with unwavering commitment on this case from the beginning to the four brave women who came forward to share their stories and work with investigators to ensure this predator was taken off the streets. No one can do it alone. We will continue to work with our partners and our communities to make Mercer County safe.”
“First and foremost, I want to acknowledge the victims of these heinous acts. They are survivors. It took a great deal of courage, trust in our detectives, and patience with the process to get to this point,” said Trenton Police Director Steve Wilson. “I appreciate the tremendous work of all the personnel involved, specifically Trenton Police SVU Detective Lizmary Rivera and Trenton Police ABC Detective Cathiria Colon, for their months of tireless hard work and dedication to this investigation.”
Lawrence Police Chief Christopher Longo added, “The investigation and subsequent arrest of Gerald Araya is the result of a strong partnership and collaboration between the Lawrence Township Police Department, the Trenton Police Department, and the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office. The arrest in this case underscores our collective dedication to bringing justice to victims of sexual assault.”
Onofri highlighted the collaboration among local, county, and federal agencies in the investigation and execution of the search warrants. Agencies involved included the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, Mercer County Prosecutor’s Special Investigations Unit, Mercer County Tactical Response Team, Ewing Police Department, Lawrence Township Police Department, Trenton Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations.
The Prosecutor thanked all involved agencies and officers, particularly Detective Sergio Sanchez, Sergeant Ahmad Mansur, Assistant Prosecutor Brett Berman, Assistant Prosecutor Alycia Beyrouty, and lead detectives Suzanne Girard of Lawrence Township Police Department, and Cathiria Colon and Lizmary Rivera of Trenton Police Department.
In addition to his bar businesses, Araya owns Jersey Cargo Express LLC, a trucking company listed as active with the U.S. Department of Transportation, with eight trucks and drivers. The company’s address is on the 900 block of New York Ave. in Trenton, the same block as Dubai and El Catador.
Sources say Araya paid significantly more than the market value for Mill Hill Saloon and Trenton Social, which he acquired last year.
The investigation remains ongoing, and officials urge anyone with information, including additional victims, to contact the Mercer County SVU at (609) 989-6568 or mcposvu@mercercounty.org.
