YMCA Employee Sexually Assaulted Young Girl, Police Say

A 21-year-old man who is employed by the YMCA of Camden and Burlington counties stands accused of sexually assaulting a young girl in Maple Shade.

Jermaine J. Ward, of Camden, is also charged with manufacturing child pornography for making a video of the assault with his cell phone, Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina and Maple Shade Police Chief Gary Gubbei announced on Tuesday.

Ward worked with two area schools through the YMCA’s Prime Time before-school and after school programs, authorities said. He was hired by the YMCA in 2017, and has spent time working with students at Beverly City School and Carson Elementary School in Pennsauken.

In this case, police said Ward was acquainted with the victim and her family. He was arrested Sunday morning in Camden. The victim was not identified. A representative for the company couldn't be immediately reached for comment.

He was charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child (first- and third-degree) and second-degree sexual assault. He faces a detention hearing later this week. Police believe he may have had inappropriate contact or interaction with students who were under his care.

“I urge anyone who suspects this defendant of having engaged in inappropriate behavior with a child to contact law enforcement and provide the details of the incident,” Coffina said.

In Burlington County, residents are invited to call Burlington County Central Communications at 609-265-7113.

In Camden County, residents should call Camden County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit Detective Jenna Bindig at 856-580-5782.

The attached image of Jermaine J. Ward was provided by the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office