Ex-MCC Basketball Coach Found Guilty Of Sexual Assault

EDISON, NJ — A former Middlesex County College men's basketball coach was found guilty on multiple charges sexual assault and possession of child pornography, Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey said.

Christopher Tarver, 45, of Jackson Township engaged in "sexual acts" with a child in Edison, Dunellen and Atlantic City while working as a coach and Dunellen recreation director, Carey said. He still faces criminal charges for allegedly abusing three other children.

After a five week jury trial, Tarver was found guilty of endangering the welfare of a child, engaging in a pattern of official misconduct, sexual assault, criminal sexual contact, official misconduct, in the fourth degree, and endangering the welfare of a child by possessing child pornography.

The assaults took place between June 2010 and Dec. 2011 while Tarver was in a supervisory position over the minor victim, Carey said. The victim was a member of the Monmouth Power Sports Club, a travel basketball team Tarver had coached starting in 1995.

Child pornography was found during a search of Tarver's Jackson Township home in April 2014, Carey said.

In addition to the travel team, Tarver worked as the Dunnellen recreation director between 2004 and 2014, and as a men's basketball coach at Middlesex County College from October 2006 until his arrest in March 2014.

Tarver faces up to 50 years in prison when he is sentenced in March.

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