North Brunswick Man Charged With Trying To Meet Girl, 14, For Sex

NORTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — A man from North Brunswick was arrested in an undercover sting operation focused on alleged online child predators done by the Delaware County District Attorney's office, in Delaware County, PA.

Mohammed S. Merchant, 24, of North Brunswick, was arrested following an investigation by Detective Lisa DeMartini of the Delaware County District Attorney's Office Criminal Investigation Division ICAC Task Force.

On April 22, DeMartini met with a concerned parent in that area of Pennsylvania regarding an individual communicating online with their 14-year-old daughter. After reviewing the social media messages between the two, DiMartini posed as the 14-year-old female child and engaged in communications with an individual later identified as Mohammed Merchant, according to the Delaware County DA.

Merchant told the 14-year-old he wanted to have sex with the juvenile and would meet the juvenile at a location that evening, the DA alleges. Upon arrival at the prearranged location, Merchant was taken into custody and told police he was going to have sex with the 14-year-old girl, the DA said.

Merchant was charged with attempt to commit statutory sexual assault and related offenses. He was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Michael A. Burns and bail was set at $150,000 cash. The preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 8.