Crime & Safety

Man Sexually Assaulted, Threatened to Kill Child, Affidavit Says

South Jersey man accused of sexually assaulting boy over three-year period in Mount Arlington.

A South Jersey man is accused of sexually assaulting and threatening to kill a now-10-year-old boy while the two lived together for three years in Mount Arlington, according to an arrest affidavit.

Joel C. Adams, 27, of Brick Township, was charged Tuesday with first-degree aggravated sexual assault, second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, second-degree sexual assault and third-degree making terroristic threats.

According to an arrest affidavit on file with the Morris County court, Mount Arlington police were notified of the alleged incidents on Oct. 3.

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The alleged victim was interviewed the next day and told authorities Adams threatened to kill him and his "loved ones" if he told anyone about the alleged assaults, the affidavit said.

The alleged sexual contact and sexual assaults occurred while Adams and the boy lived together in Mount Arlington between December 2004 and June 2007, according to the affidavit.

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Adams had legal duty to care for the child during that time, according to the affidavit.

Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi said the arrest is the result of a joint investigation between the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Sex Crimes Unit and the Mount Arlington Police Department.

Adams is being held at the Morris County Correctional Facility in lieu of $150,000 cash bail with no 10 percent option.

Judge Stuart Minkowitz ordered Adams not have any contact with the victim or the boy's family and no contact with any children under 16 years old, Bianchi said.

Adams is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 24.


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