A Burlington County man faces 21 years in prison after admitting to sexually assaulting a girl and then fatally beating a fellow inmate after he was jailed.
Aahznier Hayes, 24, of Westampton, pleaded guilty to first-degree aggravated manslaughter and second-degree sexual assault in the cases that happened months apart in 2023.
Hayes was first arrested in June 2023, months after he was found with his pants unzipped inside a vehicle with a 13-year-old girl reported missing from Buena.
The girl who he met on Snapchat was found trying to hide in the back seat, BreakingAC previously reported.
Hayes admitted to performing a sexual act on the girl. He was ordered held in jail following a detention hearing in June.
It was Hayes' first criminal charge, but would not be his last.
Aahznier Hayes (Atlantic County Justice Facility)Just after midnight Aug. 30, 2023, Kenneth Raymond was found lying bloody and unconscious in a jail cell.
The day before, Hayes told Raymond that he "wanted to fight him," a witness told investigators.
That same witness later saw Hayes punching Raymond.
"Why are you doing this?" the 52-year-old Ventnor man was shouting, the witness said.
After Raymond was motionless on the ground, Hayes jumped up and down on him, according to the report.
Raymond was taken to the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center's Mainland Campus in Galloway Township, where he died from his injuries.
Hayes was charged with murder.
He pleaded guilty to both crimes Tuesday, under a plea deal that would give him 21 years in prison, with 85 percent — or 17 years and 10 months — of parole ineligibility.
Hayes also will have to register as a Megan's Law offender, with lifetime supervision.
His sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 18, but that likely will be moved as he must first undergo an evaluation at the Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center in Avenel, which is required of all sex offenders.
