ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II and Belleville Police Chief Mark Minichini announced Oct. 13 that a North Arlington man has been arrested and charged with sexual assault, endangering the welfare of a child and luring a minor.
Bradley O’Dell, 57, was taken into custody on Friday, Oct. 8, without incident. The victim, a 13-year-old Belleville resident, reported encountering the defendant on an online dating app. After exchanging messages with the child online, the defendant arranged for the juvenile victim to meet him in person, at which point the defendant allegedly sexually assaulted the victim. It is alleged that the sexual assaults occurred on three separate occasions over the course of September. The sexual assaults allegedly occurred in Belleville, Lyndhurst and Nutley.
O’Dell was charged following an investigation by the Belleville Police Department.
“This case highlights how important it is for parents to play an active role in their children’s online behavior and to monitor usage of social media,’’ Stephens said.
Anyone with additional information regarding this case should contact the ECPO’s Special Victims Unit at 973-753-1130.
These are accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they enter a guilty plea or are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
North Arlington man charged with luring, sexually assaulting a minor in Essex County added by Editor on
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