NJ Man Sexually Assaulted Teen In Belleville, Nutley: Prosecutors

BELLEVILLE, NJ — A New Jersey man was arrested and charged after he allegedly lured a Belleville teen into sexual assaults via an online dating app, prosecutors announced Wednesday.

Bradley O'Dell, 57, of North Arlington, was taken into custody on Friday, Oct. 8 without incident, according to a joint statement from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Belleville Police Department.

O'Dell was been charged with sexual assault, endangering the welfare of a child, and luring a minor.

According to prosecutors, the victim – a 13-year-old Belleville resident – reported encountering O'Dell on an online dating app. After exchanging messages online, O'Dell arranged for the juvenile victim to meet him in person, then sexually assaulted the teen.

The assaults allegedly occurred on three separate occasions over the course of September in Belleville, Lyndhurst and Nutley, prosecutors said.

O'Dell was charged following an investigation by the Belleville Police Department.

Prosecutors said anybody who has additional information regarding this case should contact the Essex County Prosecutor's Office Special Victims Unit at 973-753-1130. Authorities released a photo of O'Dell, which can be seen below.

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