Andrew Michael Schaefer
A joint investigation by the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit, the New Jersey Division of Parole, and the Readington Township Police Department resulted in the arrest of Andrew Michael Schaefer, age 27, of Raritan Borough, New Jersey.
According to Prosecutor Kearns, “The joint investigation revealed that the defendant engaged in sexual acts with a child less than 16 years old but older than 13 years old on diverse dates between July and August, 2014 in Readington Township.
“The defendant was charged with Sexual Assault, a second degree crime, Criminal Sexual Contact, a fourth degree crime, Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a third degree crime, and parole violations,” continued Kearns in a statement issued Friday. “If found guilty at trial, the defendant could be exposed to five to ten years in state prison for the second degree charge.”
Assisting with the arrest was the Raritan Borough Police Department in Somerset County.
Bail for the defendant was set at $100,000 by the Honorable Angela F. Borkowski, J.S.C.. He was remanded to the Hunterdon County Jail. The investigation is ongoing, say prosecutors, and anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victim’s Unit at (908) 788-1129.
Meanwhile, a Frenchtown, New Jersey man chalked up his second arrest for sexual assault so far this year. An investigation by the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit, the Frenchtown Police, and the NJSP Kingwood Station Detectives led to the arrest of Logan D. Soja, 20, for allegedly engaging in sexual acts with a child less than 16 years old but older than 13 years old on at least two occasions.
Especially troubling is that prosecutors say the investigation revealed the defendant utilized social networking to contact his victim. Soja was charged with Sexual Assault, a second degree crime, and Endangering the Welfare of Children, a third degree crime.
Officials said Friday that the investigation continues, as there may have been other children Soja had contact with through social networking. Soja was arrested on April 28, 2015, and had previously been arrested for similar crimes in February, according to the the prosecutor’s office.
The Honorable Angela Borkowski, J.S.C. set bail on the defendant at $150,000. He was subsequently lodged in the Hunterdon County Jail, awaiting a first court appearance. This investigation is also ongoing, and anyone with additional information is being asked to contact the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit, also at (908) 788-1129.
In a release, Prosecutor Kearns observed, “Social media is a common activity for children, but as parents we need to be vigilant, monitor their online use, and be cognizant of the potential dangers. Crimes involving children are a serious offense, and if found guilty, the defendant can be sentenced to five to ten years in prison for the second degree charge.”
The filing of a criminal complaint is merely a step in the criminal justice process. The defendant is presumed innocent until the matter is resolved in a court of law.
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