Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo announced the arrest of Nicholas G. Clark, 22, of Sycamore Gardens, Newark, Delaware on charges of Luring, Attempted Aggravated Sexual Assault, and Attempted Endangering the Welfare of a Minor.
According to a statement released by Bergen County officials, on April 9, members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Cyber Crimes Unit received information that a stranger was communicating online with a 12-year-old juvenile from New Milford.
Officials say the ensuing investigation, led by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Cyber Crimes Unit and the New Milford Police Department, revealed that since February 2019 Clark used a social media and chatting application to engage in sexually explicit dialogue with the 12-year-old juvenile and made plans to meet with the minor on April 5th.
Officials say the meeting was interrupted by a member of the juvenile’s family and the matter was reported to authorities.
Detectives, now in control of the juvenile’s online accounts, had online conversations with Clark who again engaged in explicit dialogue believing he was still speaking with the minor.
Police say Clark also discussed plans to meet with the juvenile again.
According to police, on April 17, detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Cyber Crimes Unit traveled to Newark New Castle, Delaware and, with assistance from the New Castle County (DE) Police Department and executed a search warrant at Clark's home.
As a result of the investigation, an arrest warrant was issued in the State of New Jersey charging Clark with two counts of Luring, two counts of Attempted Aggravated Sexual Assault, and two counts of Attempted Endangering The Welfare Of A Minor,
New Castle Police took Clark into custody on April 17, pursuant to the New Jersey arrest warrant as he posted $60,000 in bail, and was released by a Delaware judge pending extradition proceedings.
Police say on Tuesday, May 14th, Clark surrendered to detectives at the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office in Paramus and remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending a first appearance and detention hearing in this matter.