Man Masturbated Around Kids At Local Park: Union Co. Prosecutor

LINDEN, NJ — A Linden man has been charged and accused of masturbating in a Union County park while partially nude on at least one occasion when multiple children were present, authorities said.

Paul J. Schappe, Jr., 68, is charged with second-degree sexual assault, third-degree aggravated criminal sexual contact, and two counts of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, according to acting Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay V. Ruotolo and Linden Police Chief David Hart.

On May 2 at about 1 p.m., Schappe approached a young boy who was playing basketball in Clifford Lawson Memorial Park and made sexual comments while touching himself inappropriately over his clothing, Union County Assistant Prosecutor Bruce Holmes said.

A joint investigation by the Prosecutor’s Office’s Special Victims Unit and the Linden Police Department also found that Schappe had been seen allegedly masturbating in the park while partially nude on at least one other occasion when multiple children were present, said Ruotolo.

Schappe was arrested Monday night and taken to the Union County Jail pending a first appearance and detention hearing to take place in Union County Superior Court.

He faces 5 to 10 years in state prison on the charges.

Anyone with any information about this matter is being urged to contact Prosecutor’s Office Detective Jessica Tattoli at 908-341-5418 or Linden Police Department Detective David Nolasco at 908-474-8521.

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