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Computer crimes: Arrest made
(by K. Darius Amos - April 16, 2008)
Internet sting leads to arrest of man, 56
An investigation by members of the South Hackensack Police Department and the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Computer Crimes Task Force led to the arrest of a 56-year-old man, who was accused this month of attempting to establish a sexual relationship with an underage girl through the Internet.
Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli said Danny J. Staley, 56, of Kenilworth, met what he believed was a 14-year-old girl in an online chat room. Staley engaged the underage computer user in several conversations and initiated sexually explicit dialog.
According to the prosecutor’s office, Staley used a Web camera to masturbate in front of the girl. He also instructed the presumed 14 year old to masturbate.
During the course of the conversations, Staley attempted to lure the girl to an undisclosed location for the purpose of engaging in sexual relations.
Authorities, who were acting as the juvenile, arranged to meet Staley and arrested him at his home without incident on April 4.
Staley was charged with attempted endangering the welfare of a child, attempted criminal sexual contact, attempted luring, transmitting child pornography and attempted sexual assault. He was remanded to the Bergen County Jail and was being held on $75,000 bail. Judge Bonnie Mizdol also prohibited Staley from using the Internet.
Molinelli said that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. He also thanked the South Hackensack Police Department for its participation on the Computer Crimes Task Force.
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