Trenton, NJ – A Toms River resident has admitted to traveling overseas to engage in unlawful conduct with a minor, federal prosecutors said Thursday.
Jacob Bauer, 29, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to one count of engaging in illicit conduct in a foreign place. Prosecutors said Bauer traveled from the United States to Norway in December 2023, where he met with a 14-year-old. Court records indicate Bauer later discussed his actions over social media, acknowledging the individual’s age.
After information about his conduct surfaced online, members of a digital community publicly revealed his identity.
Bauer faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine at his sentencing, scheduled for January 21, 2026.
Acting U.S. Attorney and Special Attorney Alina Habba credited the FBI and multiple international law enforcement partners, including agencies in Norway and Poland, as well as INTERPOL, for their work in the investigation. Local departments in New Jersey and Georgia also assisted.
Key Points
- Jacob Bauer, 29, of Toms River, admitted to traveling overseas in 2023 to engage in unlawful conduct with a minor.
- He pleaded guilty to one federal count carrying up to 30 years in prison.
- Sentencing is set for January 21, 2026, in federal court.
Federal authorities say the case highlights the reach of international cooperation in protecting minors.