A man who used to sit on the Florham Park NJ zoning board reportedly confessed to sexually assaulting an underage child.
According to authorities, the suspect had oral sex with a minor who was under the age of 18. It is believed that the suspect committed the sex crimes on multiple occasions between June 2008 and June 2010.
The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office and the Florham Park Police Department started an investigation into the suspect earlier this year when the victim came forward with the allegations of sexual abuse. After a detailed investigation into the allegations, law enforcement placed the suspect under arrest.
The suspect, a 52-year-old resident of Florham Park who used to be a member of the borough’s zoning board, was charged with sexual assault and aggravated assault.
Now the suspect is set to go to NJ State Prison after pleading guilty to sexual assault in the case. The suspect recently appeared in Morris County Superior Court, located in Morristown NJ, and pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault.
The suspect entered the guilty plea after reaching a deal with the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office. Although the suspect could potentially be sentenced to as many as 10 years in state prison on the second degree sexual assault charges, it is expected that prosecutors will recommend a term of incarceration of seven years.
While the suspect awaits a formal sentencing hearing in Morris County Superior Court, he remains free on bail. His bail amount in the case was $200,000, with no 10-percent cash option available.
The suspect used to work for the Florham Park government in various capacities, including as a member of the Florham Park Zoning Board of Adjustment, the Florham Park Construction Board of Appeals, and the Florham Park Environmental Commission. Shortly after the suspect was placed under arrest in March 2016, he resigned his positions with the boards.
To learn more about this case, see the NJ.com article, “Ex-Florham Park Zoning Official Admits Having Sex with Minor.”
