Lacey Township Man Jailed On Multiple Counts Of Child Porn & Sexual Assault
Saturday, January 17, 2026, 7:45 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
LACEY TOWNSHIP, NJ.- On Thursday, following an investigation, a 20-year-old Lacey Township, New Jersey, man was taken into custody and jailed after being charged in connection with allegedly coercing and enticing a child to engage in explicit sexual conduct, and for producing and possessing child pornography.
According to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer, Seth Bowles, 20, of Lacey Township, has been formally charged with Distributing Obscene Material to a Minor; Manufacturing Child Pornography; Possession of Child Pornography; Sexual Assault; and Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
Bowles was processed on the charges and was remanded to the Ocean County Jail pending future court proceedings in Ocean County Superior Court. The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office has filed a motion with the court to have Bowles detained pending trial.
The charges stem from an investigation conducted by Detectives of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Squad and the Lacey Township Police Department. During the investigation, Detectives uncovered that beginning in September 2025 and lasting through December 2025, Bowles sent nude digital images of himself to a 15-year-old girl and requested that the girl send him sexually explicit digital images and video files. Further investigation uncovered that Bowles instructed the teen girl to engage in sexual conduct and send him the digital images and video files of herself engaging in the conduct.
On Thursday, January 15, 2026, Detectives of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office and the Lacey Township Police Department executed a court-authorized search warrant at Bowles Lacey Township, New Jersey,’ residence. During the search, Detectives seized multiple electronic devices, and an initial forensic examination of the devices uncovered media files containing child pornography. Following the search, Bowles was formally taken into custody at the Lacey Township Police Department.
If convicted at trial, due to the nature of the charges and the age of the victim, Bowles could be facing up to a maximum of 20 years in New Jersey State Prison.
“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.”
