Oak Ridge Man Charged With Trying To Engage In Sex Acts With Teen

Monday, February 10, 2025, 6:00 P.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent New,

FREEHOLD, NJ.- On Friday, February 7, 2025, a 42-year-old Oak Ridge, New Jersey man, employed as a Detective with the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, was taken into custody and jailed after being criminally charged with attempting to engage in sexual acts and sending a nude picture to Monmouth County teen.

     According to Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago, Michael Vermeylen, 42, of Oak Ridge, was formally charged with one count of third-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child; and one count of third-degree Obscenity to Minors.

Investigation Uncovers Inappropriate Conduct

     The charges stem from an investigation initiated by Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Detective monitoring the victim’s cellular phone. During the investigation, it was determined that Vermeylen had sent inappropriate sexual text messages to the victim, an acquaintance, and a Monmouth County, New Jersey resident. The investigation further uncovered that Vermeylen expressed his sexual attraction to the teen and sent a naked photo of himself to the teen.

     Following the investigation, on Friday, Vermeylen was taken into custody and, after being processed on the charges, was remanded to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution, pending future court proceedings in Monmouth County Superior Court in Freehold, New Jersey.

     Anyone with information regarding this investigation or any other similar conduct by Vermeylen is asked to contact Detective Anthony Lacher of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 533-7443. All information will be kept confidential.