Man Admits Trying To Lure Boy, 14, To Mercer County Park: Cops

A Burlington County man admitted to attempting to lure what he believed to be a 14-year-old boy he met online to a park for a sexual encounter in September, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri announced. The 14-year-old child was actually an undercover detective with the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office.

Joseph Coleman, 55, of Bordentown, pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree luring on Feb. 1, according to the prosecutor’s office. He faces seven years in state prison, including three years of parole ineligibility, when he is sentenced on March 22. He will be required to register as a sex offender under Megan’s Law and will be subject to parole supervision for life.

Coleman was arrested on Sept. 5, 2018, by members of the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office after arriving at a park to meet a 14-year-old-boy who was actually an undercover detective.

The Mercer County Prosecutor's Office opened an investigation into individuals trying to exploit children online in July 2018. A detective working undercover posing as a 14-year-old boy, responded to an online ad and triggered more than 100 email exchanges with Coleman, according to the prosecutor's office.

The email conversations included graphic sexual discussion. Coleman repeatedly attempted to arrange a meeting, according to the prosecutor's office. Coleman believed he had successfully arranged the meeting for about 3:15 p.m. on Sept. 5 at a park in Robbinsville, according to the prosecutor's office.

When he arrived, he went to a secluded area of the park to engage in sexual conduct. He was then arrested without incident, according to the prosecutor's office.

Onofri urged anyone with information about suspected improper contact by unknown persons communicating with children via the internet or possible exploitation or sexual abuse of children to please contact his Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit at 609-989-6568 or the New Jersey Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force tipline at 888-648-6007.

The attached image of Joseph Coleman was provided by the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office.