November 17, 09

NEWS / Sussex Borough Official Indicted for Alleged Attempted Sexual Assault Via the Internet

TRENTON – Attorney General Anne Milgram announced that a Sussex Borough Department of Public Works administrator has been indicted for allegedly attempting to sexually assault a person he believed to be a 14-year-old boy whom he communicated with on the Internet. The “boy” was actually an undercover investigator with the Division of Criminal Justice Computer Analysis and Technology Unit.

According to Criminal Justice Director Deborah L. Gramiccioni, Jeffrey Card, 49, of Sussex Borough, was indicted yesterday (Nov. 16) by a state grand jury. He was charged with three counts of second-degree official misconduct, one count of second-degree attempted sexual assault, five counts of third-degree attempted endangering the welfare of a child, five counts of fourth-degree attempted criminal sexual contact, and one count of fourth-degree possession of child pornography.

It is alleged that on five occasions between February and April 2005, Card communicated with the “boy” on the Internet, including three times when Card allegedly used the computer in his Sussex Borough office. Card allegedly sent online communications in which he directed the “boy” to perform sexual acts on himself.

On April 27, 2005, the Division of Criminal Justice executed a search warrant, arrested Card, and seized computers from his home and his office. A forensic examination allegedly revealed child pornography on compact disks seized from Card’s office. Card is currently free on $50,000 bail.

The investigation was coordinated by Deputy Attorney General Kenneth R. Sharpe, who presented the case to the state grand jury.

An indictment is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Second-degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000, while third-degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of five years in state prison and a fine of up to $15,000. Fourth-degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of 18 months in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

http://www.nj.gov/oag/newsreleases09/pr20091117b.html