N.J. Man Accused Of Sexually Assaulting 14-Year-Old Boy And Trying To Lure Others
TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A 42-year-old man faces multiple charges after he allegedly engaged in sexual activity with a 14-year-old boy whom he met on a social media site, New Jersey Attorney General Christopher Porrino said Friday.
Ethan Chandler, of Belleville, New Jersey, was initially arrested on December 1 and charged with second-degree luring a child.
Authorities said an undercover state police detective noticed a Craigslist advertisement, allegedly posted by Chandler, soliciting oral sex with a young man. The detective responded to the ad, claiming to be a 13-year-old boy.
Chandler allegedly asked the detective to use the app Kik to communicate with him, then engaged in sexually explicit conversations, saying he knew the person on the other end was underage but didn't care, Porrino's office said.
Chandler allegedly asked the detective to meet him on Nov. 23 in Woodbridge so that he could perform oral sex, but he postponed the meeting at the last minute.
He was arrested, but was released after posting bail.
Investigators later obtained evidence that Chandler had engaged in sexual activity with a 14-year-old boy from Essex County, whom he met online, Porrino's office said.
State police were able to identify the victim, and Chandler was arrested again, charged this time with second-degree sexual assault and fourth-degree criminal sexual contact, officials said.
According to authorities, Chandler and the 14-year-old victim had oral and anal sex on multiple occasions inside Chandler's Belleville apartment, including as recently as a few weeks ago.
Chandler ran a video production company that filmed sporting events at schools across the region, officials said. He posted weekly video highlights of high school football on Youtube.
The 42-year-old was previously arrested on Feb. 22, 2014 at the Livingston Mall after he was found in a bathroom kissing a young man who appeared to be a minor, Porrino's office said. Chandler admitted to police that he believed the young man was a minor, and he pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct.
The State Police and Division of Criminal Justice are continuing to investigate and have learned that Chandler may have sent nude photos of himself to at least three juveniles, and may have had sexual contact with a second 14-year-old boy, officials said.
Attorney General Porrino and Director Honig urged anyone with information about Chandler – or about the online distribution of child pornography, or suspected improper contact by unknown persons communicating with children online or possible sexual abuse of children – to contact the New Jersey Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Tipline at 888-648-6007 to report the information confidentially.
