Brick man sentenced to four years for sexual assault of woman in atlantic city
Atlantic City police department patrol car-Atlantic City Police Department

Brick man sentenced to four years for sexual assault of woman in Atlantic City

by
November 20, 2024

MAYS LANDING, N.J. — A Brick Township man was sentenced to four years in state prison on Monday for the 2021 sexual assault of a woman he met on a dating app, Atlantic County authorities said.

Gary M. Kearns, 56, pleaded guilty on August 26 to second-degree sexual assault and admitted to assaulting the victim without her consent in an Atlantic City hotel in August 2021. Under New Jersey’s No Early Release Act, Kearns must serve at least 85% of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole. Upon release, he will face lifetime parole supervision and registration under Megan’s Law.

According to prosecutors, Kearns met the victim through Facebook Dating, using a false name to court her. He picked her up and drove her to Atlantic City under the guise of going on a date. Once at the hotel, Kearns sexually assaulted the victim and then abandoned her, leaving her stranded more than an hour from her home.

The case was investigated by the Atlantic City Police Department’s Special Victim’s Unit and the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office’s Special Victim’s Unit. Assistant Prosecutor Tiffany deGrandmaison handled the case for the State.

Authorities emphasized the seriousness of the crime, highlighting Kearns’ deception and predatory behavior.

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton

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