Man Sexually Assaulted 2 Boys In Church Bathroom In Somerset County: Prosecutor

NORTH PLAINFIELD, NJ — A man was charged with sexually assaulting two young boys in a church bathroom in North Plainfield, announced Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald.

Pierre Joseph, 68, Plainfield, was charged with two counts of second-degree sexual assault, and two counts of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child.

On June 23 at around 4:38 p.m., North Plainfield Police responded to a 911 call reporting a possible sexual assault of a minor at a local church that occurred earlier that day.

Officers were told the suspect, identified as Joseph, had been detained at the church until their arrival. Joseph was then taken by police officers to the North Plainfield Police Department for questioning.

The Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victim’s Unit was notified of the report of a possible sexual assault of a minor.

The 7-year-old male victim was interviewed at the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Child Advocacy Center by a detective from the Somerset County Special Victim’s Unit.

The victim said that a church member followed him into the bathroom, pulled down his pants and underwear and touched him, said McDonald.

The 7-year-old reported this to another person who reported it to the pastor at the church.

During this investigation, it was determined that a 9-year-old male victim disclosed a similar
incident involving Joseph in January or February, said McDonald.

On June 23, the 9-year-old boy was interviewed and he said that he was touched on his private parts in the bathroom at the church.

As a result of this investigation, on June 23, Joseph was placed under arrest at the North Plainfield Police Department.

Joseph was lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing in this matter.

McDonald thanked the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office for their help in this investigation.

Anyone with information relating to the sexual assaults is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Special Victim’s Unit at 908-231-7100 or the North Plainfield Police Department at 908-769-2900 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ.

Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports, and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

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