Man Collected Boy's Nude Pics, Lured Him And Threatened His Family: BurlCo Prosecutor

SOMERSET, NJ — A man convinced a Burlington County child to take and send him nude photos, authorities said. Sebastian Romero also arranged to meet the boy and then threatened the victim's family when he didn't show up, according to the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office (BCPO).

Romero, 27, of Somerset, was charged with several sex crimes after an investigation from the BCPO and Cinnaminson police. He was arrested Aug. 2 as authorities search his home.

The man was denied release from Burlington County Jail during a detention hearing on Friday.

The investigation began last month, when the victim's family reported Romero to Cinnaminson police. Authorities found that Romero initially contacted the boy in a chatroom on an online-gaming platform, the BCPO said. Romero obtained the child's personal information and then offered to purchase nude photos and videos — all while knowing the victim's age — according to law enforcement.

Romero convinced the boy to accept electronic gift cards in exchange for nude photos and videos of himself, authorities said. He also arranged to meet the victim for a sexual encounter and made threatening statements toward the victim's family when he failed to appear, according to the BCPO.

Authorities seized multiple electronic devices, among other evidence, while executing a search warrant at Romero's home.

Romero was charged with producing child sexual abuse material (first-degree), impairing/debauching the morals of a child (second-degree), luring (second-degree), aggravated sexual extortion (second-degree), possession of child sexual abuse material (third-degree) and obscenity to a minor (third-degree).

Prosecutors plan to present the case to a grand jury for possible indictment.