ATLANTIC COUNTY – A Barnegat man has been arrested in Atlantic County following an investigation into alleged sexual contact with a minor, according to information released by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office.
James Hadley, 66, of Barnegat, was taken into custody on March 13 in Pleasantville and charged with second-degree sexual assault of a victim under the age of 16, second-degree luring a minor to commit a sexual act, third-degree endangering the welfare of a child and fourth-degree criminal sexual contact.
Authorities said Hadley traveled from Ocean County to Pleasantville earlier that day to meet a juvenile for the purpose of engaging in a sexual act. Detectives from the Pleasantville Police Department and the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit arrested him when he arrived at the predetermined location before he could meet with the child.
Investigators allege that Hadley had previously met the same juvenile on at least two occasions earlier this month and paid the minor to perform sexual acts.
The case was investigated by the Pleasantville Police Department with assistance from the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit. Officials said the investigation remains ongoing.
Prosecutors have filed a motion seeking Hadley’s pretrial detention. A hearing on that request is tentatively scheduled for this week in Atlantic County Superior Court.
The charges against Hadley are accusations. Under New Jersey law, defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Anyone with information related to serious crimes in Atlantic County is asked to contact the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-909-7800 or submit a tip anonymously through the agency’s website at ACPO.Tips. Crime Stoppers of Atlantic County also accepts anonymous tips at 609-652-1234 or 1-800-658-8477.
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