Hillsborough Man Among 24 Alleged Child Predators Arrested In NJ

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — A Hillsborough man was among 24 alleged child predators from across New Jersey who were arrested in a statewide bust known as "Operation Open House," authorities announced on Tuesday.

Douglass Walton, 54, who is employed in produce, believed he was talking to a 14-year-old boy, who was, in fact, an undercover officer, according to a release from the Office of Attorney General.

Most of the 24 men were arrested after they went to a house in Toms River, where they allegedly expected to find their victim home alone, according to authorities.

Walton was charged with second-degree attempted luring or enticing a child with a purpose to commit a criminal offense against the child and second-degree attempted sexual assault on a minor.

The multi-agency undercover operation targeted men who allegedly were using social media in an attempt to lure underage girls and boys for sexual activity, according to auhtorities.

"It is a frightening reality that sexual predators are lurking on social media, ready to strike if they find a child who is vulnerable," said Attorney General Gurbir Grewal. "To counter that threat, we are working collaboratively and aggressively across all levels of law enforcement to apprehend these sex offenders. We want child predators to know that we are on social media too – and the child they target may be the undercover officer who puts them in handcuffs. That is the message of Operation Open House."

The arrests in Operation Open House were made over a five-day period from Sept. 5 through Sept. 9. Those arrested included a police officer, a nurse, a firefighter, college students, and a registered sex offender, according to the release.

Click here for the full list of the 24 men arrested.

(Image via Office of Attorney General: Douglass Walton, 54, of Hillsborough)

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