Mays Landing Man Convicted of Child Sexual Assault

A Mays Landing man has been convicted in the sexual assault of a 17-year-old boy and the performance of indecent and unlawful sexual acts in the presence of a 12-year-old boy, Atlantic County Prosecutor Jim McClain announced Monday night.

John S. Poston, 47, was found guilty of six counts, including three counts against the 17-year-old and three counts against the 12-year-old.

Those counts included: the sexual assault of the 17-year-old while having supervisory power; criminal sexual contact with the 17-year-old; child abuse of the 17-year-old; endangering the welfare of a child against the 12-year-old; lewdness against the 12-year-old; and child abuse against the 12-year-old.

Poston stood accused of transporting each child to his residence on separate dates, providing each with alcohol and committing the crimes for which he was later charged.

The Hamilton Township Police Department was alerted to the allegations in late September 2010. At the conclusion of a three-month investigation, a warrant for Poston’s arrest was issued on Jan. 24, 2011.

He was located and arrested in Pennsylvania on Jan. 31, 2011, returned to New Jersey and lodged in the Atlantic County Justice Facility in lieu of $225,000 full bail. He posted bail and was released, and was indicted on Feb. 14, 2012.

Poston’s trial lasted one week and resulted in the guilty verdict on Friday, July 25. He continues to be released on bail pending his sentencing, scheduled for Aug. 29. He must also complete an evaluation required for sex offenders at the Avenel Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center prior to sentencing.

The 2nd degree sexual assault conviction carries a potential prison sentence of 5-10 years, and pursuant to the No Early Release Act (NERA), Poston will have to serve 85 perent of that sentence before becoming eligible for parole. Conviction for a 3rd degree crime carries a potential sentence of imprisonment of 3-5 years; a 4th degree conviction carries a potential sentence of up to 18 months in prison.