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New Jersey man accused of using Facebook to lure teens

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A 28-year-old man from Middlesex County has been charged with criminal
sexual conduct after allegedly using the popular social networking site
Facebook to connect with teens under the pretense that he was 17. Two
girls, both 14, have alleged that the man contacted them on Facebook and
attempted to lure them into sexual relations.

Investigators are currently attempting to find out the extent to which
the man may have been using Facebook to lure Central Jersey teens into
sexual situations, and are seeking any additional alleged victims.

The man has been charged with two counts of second-degree luring, two counts
of third-degree endangering the welfare of a minor, and a single count
each of second-degree sexual assault and fourth-degree criminal sexual contact.

According to Union County prosecutors, the man allegedly created an alias
Facebook and claimed he was 17 years old. He allegedly sent sexually charged
messages to the first girl and asked to meet her, but she refused. When
she posted that she was headed to a particular store in Springfield, he
showed up there.

In the second case, prosecutors claim that the man arranged a meeting with
the girl. He picked her up at her house and they went to a hotel, where
he supplied her with alcohol and sexually assaulted her.

The parents of the first teen complained to police when they read communications
between the man and their daughter, which they had discovered when monitoring
her Facebook account.

The man, a resident of Perth Amboy, was arrested on Sept. 23 at his office.
He works as a lab technician in the Skillman section of Montgomery.

Bail had been set at $125,000, but with the addition of the second set
of allegations it was increased to $175,000. As of Wednesday, he remained
in custody at the Union County Jail.

When an adult is accused of criminal sexual conduct against an underage
person, it can ignite a storm of media attention. As always, it is essential
for citizens to keep in mind that the facts are not yet in. We should
avoid making any judgment before prosecutors are made to prove their case,
or before the defendant has a chance to respond to the accusations against him.

Source: My Central Jersey, “Perth Amboy man charged in second Facebook luring, sexual assault against teen,” Mark Spivey, Sept. 28, 2011

Categories: 

  • Sex Crimes
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