Freehold, NJ – An Essex County resident has been arrested on charges of seeking a sexual encounter with an underage boy, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago reported on Thursday.
Jonar I. Arenas, 48, from Bloomfield, is facing charges including second-degree Luring, second-degree Attempted Sexual Assault of a Minor, and third-degree Attempted Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
The investigation began in August, led by a detective from the High Tech Bureau of the Prosecutor’s Office who was working undercover on a social media app.
During the investigation, Arenas contacted the detective on the app, believing the detective to be a 14-year-old boy. Following discussions via the app and other communication methods, Arenas arranged to meet for what he thought would be a sexual encounter with the minor.
On Wednesday, Arenas was apprehended in Freehold Borough and taken to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution. He remains in custody pending court proceedings at Monmouth County Superior Court.
The Prosecutor’s Office encourages anyone with information regarding this incident to contact Detective Anthony Lacher at 800-533-7443
