Man Charged After Child He Lured For Sex Was Undercover Police Officer

Saturday, September 21, 2024, 6:30 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher, Englebrook Independent News,

FREEHOLD, NJ.- A 48-year-old Bloomfield, New Jersey man was taken into custody and formally charged for allegedly luring a 14-year-old boy for a sexual encounter, only to find that the child was an undercover investigator monitoring social media platforms for child predators.

According To Prosecutor

     According to Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago, Jonar I. Arenas, 48, of Bloomfield, New Jersey, was formally charged on Wednesday with second-degree Luring; second-degree Attempted Sexual Assault of a Minor; and third-degree Attempted Endangering the Welfare of a Child.

     On Wednesday, September 18, 2024, Arenas, after traveling to Freehold Borough, was taken into custody by Detectives. Following being processed on the charges, he was transported to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution, pending future court proceedings in Monmouth County Superior Court.

     The charges stem from an investigation that was initiated last month by a Prosecutor’s Office Detective from the High Tech Bureau, who was monitoring social media platforms in an effort to combat the increasing epidemic of crimes perpetuated against children.

Arenas Attempted To Set Up Encounter

     While monitoring the app, another user contacted the Detective, who was later identified as Arenas. After discussions on the social media app and other forms of communication, Arenas attempted to set up a sexual encounter with a person he believed was a 14-year-old boy.

     Anyone with information regarding this investigation or Arenas’ similar conduct is urged to contact Detective Anthony Lacher of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office at (800) 533-7443.

“The rules of the court require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”