A Pompton Lakes Police Officer was charged with having sexual contact with a child. The Riverdale Police Department received a report on April 23, 2018 of a minor who had been sexually involved with the patrolman. According to the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, 37 year-old Mark Stinnard allegedly asked the victim to take nude photos and videos and send them to him. Stinnard was also allegedly found to be in possession of child of pornography. He was charged with endangering the welfare of a child for manufacturing child pornography and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child for engaging in sexual conduct with a child. Click here to read more at www.nj.com.
The state of New Jersey handles endangering the welfare of a child cases very seriously. Endangering the Welfare of a Child is codified under N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4, which provides:
a. Any person having a legal duty for the care of a child or who has assumed responsibility for the care of a child who engages in sexual conduct which would impair or debauch the morals of the child, or who causes the child harm that would make the child an abused or neglected child is guilty of a crime of the second degree. Any other person who engages in conduct or who causes harm (as described in the statute) to a child under the age of 16 is guilty of a crime of the third degree.
A person commits a crime of the second degree if he causes or permits a child to engage in a prohibited sexual act or in the simulation of such an act if the person knows, has reason to know or intends that the prohibited act may be photographed, filmed, reproduced, or reconstructed in any manner, including on the Internet, or may be part of an exhibition or performance. If the person is a parent, guardian or other person legally charged with the care or custody of the child, the personal is guilty of a crime of the first degree.
A person who photographs or films a child in a prohibited sexual act or in the simulation of such an act or who uses any device, including a computer, to reproduce or reconstruct the image of a child in a prohibited sexual act or in the simulation of such an act is guilty of a crime of the second degree.
A person who knowingly receives for the purpose of selling or who knowingly sells, procures, manufactures, gives, provides, lends, trades, mails, delivers, transfers, publishes, distributes, circulates, disseminates, presents, exhibits, advertises, offers or agrees to offer, through any means, including the Internet, any photograph, film, videotape, computer program or file, video game or any other reproduction or reconstruction which depicts a child engaging in a prohibited sexual act or in the simulation of such an act, is guilty of a crime of the second degree.
A person who knowingly possess or knowingly views any photograph, film, videotape, computer program or file, video game or any other reproduction or reconstruction which depicts a child engaging in a prohibited sexual act or in the simulation of such an act, including on the Internet, is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.
The penalties for endangering the welfare of a child in New Jersey are as follows:
A crime of the first degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of between 10 and 20 years in New Jersey
State Prison.
A crime of the second degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of between 5 and 10 years in New
Jersey State Prison.
A crime of the third degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 5 years in New Jersey State
Prison.
A crime of the fourth degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 18 months in New Jersey State
Prison.
If you or a loved one is charged with endangering the welfare of a child you should contact a criminal defense attorney immediately because your freedom is at stake. Alissa D. Hascup is skilled and experienced at defending countless individuals charged with the entire range of sexual related offenses in New Jersey. She is committed to ensuring your rights are protected in court and that you receive the best possible outcome for your case. Contact her office for a free consultation. She is available 24/7 at 862-257-1200.
