NJ Man Faces Sexual Assault Charges Related To Minor: Officials

NEW JERSEY — A man from Keansburg was arrested last week and was accused of manipulating and threatening a 14-year-old girl from another state, according to Attorney General Gurbir Grewal.

According to officials, Jason Berry, 41, forced the girl to send him pictures of herself performing sexual acts.

After befriending the victim on social media, Berry allegedly threatened to harm her and her family if she did not comply with his demands, the office of the Attorney General said.

He sent the girl sexually explicit photos and videos of himself and tried to get her to carve his initials with a razor blade on her leg and above her breast, according to officials, who also said that Berry sent photos of the victim to her mother.

The state where the girl lives has not been disclosed for her protection.

The arrest and charges stem from a police initiative in response to a dramatic increase in reports of potential threats to children from online predators during the COVID pandemic, according to the Attorney General.

“Every parent should be aware of the horrific details of these allegations, because it demonstrates how powerful online predators can be, although they may be hundreds of miles away, by using threats and manipulation to assault their victims both mentally and physically,” said Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police.

During Operation Screen Capture, 21 people were charged with predatory behavior against children or possession and distribution of child sexual abuse materials.

“While we will continue initiatives like ‘Operation Screen Capture’ to root out these depraved criminals, we need parents to join us in the fight by closely monitoring the online activity of their children and educating them about the dangers of online predators,” Callahan said.

Berry faces several charges, including manufacturing child sexual abuse material, aggravated sexual assault and distribution of child sexual abuse material.

First-degree charges carry a sentence of 10 to 20 years in state prison and a fine of up to $200,000.

Berry is being detained in the Monmouth County Jail pending trial. Deputy Attorney General Adedayo Adu presented the indictment charging Berry to the state grand jury for the Division of Criminal Justice Financial & Cyber Crimes Bureau.

Anyone with information about the distribution of child sexual abuse material is encouraged to report it to the New Jersey Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Tipline at 888-648-6007.