Man Admits To Filming Sex Assault Of Minor In Atlantic Co. Home: Cops

MAYS LANDING, NJ — A Mays Landing man admitted to sexually assaulting a child and filming the assault over two years, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office said.

Christian R. Navarette, 39, of Mays Landing, pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated sexual assault, a crime of the first-degree, one amended count of sexual assault, a crime of the second-degree and one count of endangering the welfare of a child by filming a prohibited sexual act, a crime of the first-degree, Prosecutor William E. Reynolds said.

Navarette admitted that he committed "numerous acts of sexual penetration" on the victim in his Hamilton Township home around the dates between July 18, 2017 and Dec. 15, 2019, Reynolds said. He also admitted to filming the acts and storing the videos on his personal cell phone, Reynolds said. The Prosecutor's Office found more than 80 videos of the sex acts with him on Navarette's phone, Reynolds said.

On Dec. 19, 2019, Hamilton Township police and the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office Special Victims Unit were notified of report to the Division of Child Protection and Permanency regarding a sexual assault against a minor, Reynolds said.

After an interview with Navarette, the High Technology Crimes Investigation Unit of the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office took Navarette's phone where the videos were found, Reynolds said.

The plea calls for an aggregate sentence of 25 years in New Jersey State Prison, with Navarette having to serve 85 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for parole due to the No Early Release Act, Reynolds said. Navarette will also be subject to Megan’s Law, parole supervision for life, an adult diagnostic and treatment center sexual offender evaluation and no contact with the victim, Reynolds said.

Chief Assistant Prosecutor Erika Halayko represents the State in this matter. The sentencing, pending defendant’s evaluation, is scheduled for Oct. 3, 2022.