Crime & Safety

Lawrence Man Employed At Rider U. Charged With Sexual Assault

Dezheng Ping who is employed by Rider University at the Westminster Choir College was charged with assault of a minor, authorities said.

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ — A Lawrence Township man who works at Rider University was charged with sexual assault of a minor known to him, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Chief Fred Tavener of the Plainsboro Police Department said.

Dezheng Ping, 57, was arrested and charged with one count of second-degree sexual assault, one count of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact on Sept. 23.

Ping is employed by Rider University at the Westminster Choir College and provides private violin instruction in West Windsor and Plainsboro.

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According to an investigation by Detective Patrick Miller of the Plainsboro Police Department and Detective Linda Infusino of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, authorities determined that in 2016, Ping inappropriately touched a child around 12 years of age, during violin lessons held at what was then Ping’s Plainsboro residence.

The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office and the West Windsor Police Department assisted in the investigation.

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The investigation is active and ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Miller of the Plainsboro Police Department at (609)799-2333 or Detective Infusino of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732)745-4340.

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