Toms River, NJ – A 24-year-old Ocean County man is being held without bail in the Ocean County Jail on multiple felony charges involving the alleged sexual assault and exploitation of a child.
Jake Nathaniel Hessels was committed to the Ocean County Jail on June 2, according to county inmate records.
Related: Ocean County Jail, Toms River, aggravated sexual assault, child exploitation
Multiple first- and second-degree charges filed
According to jail records, Hessels is charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child under the age of 13 under N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2(a)(1), a first-degree offense.
He is also charged with sexual assault under N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2(b), endangering the welfare of a child under N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4(a), and endangering the welfare of a child involving the sale or distribution of child sexual abuse material under N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4B(5).
Under New Jersey law, aggravated sexual assault involving a victim under the age of 13 is among the state’s most serious criminal offenses and can carry decades in prison upon conviction.
Investigation details not released
The Ocean County Jail records indicate Hessels has remained in custody without bail since his commitment on June 2.
The publicly available inmate records do not identify the investigating agency or provide additional information regarding the allegations or circumstances that led to the charges.
Couple accused of trafficking child in New Jersey prostitution ring
Route 9 Closed for Hours After Overnight Crash
