Man Sent Explicit Photos, Rideshare To Mercer Cop Posing As Teen: Prosecutor

MERCER COUNTY, NJ – A West Deptford man has been charged after he sent sexually explicit photos and messages to a detective who was posing as a 14-year-old girl, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri said Tuesday.

Todd Merinuk, 27, was charged with two counts of second-degree attempted sexual assault, three counts of third-degree attempted endangering the welfare of a child and one count of second-degree attempted luring.

Around three weeks ago, detectives with the prosecutor’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit connected with a man via an anonymous social media platform. The man, later identified as Merunik, began chatting with a detective who was working undercover and posing as a 14-year-old girl, Onofri said.

The chat included multiple sexually explicit messages and photos. Merinuk told the undercover detective that he wanted to meet in person to engage in various sexual acts, Onofri said.

On March 16, Merinuk sent a ride-share car to an address in Mercer County to pick up the “14-year-old female” to transport her to his location in Gloucester County, Onofri said.

Believing the girl had arrived at his location via rideshare, Merinuk appeared and was taken into custody without incident by members of the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, Onofri said.

Second-degree crimes carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000. Third-degree crimes carry a sentence of three to five years in state prison and a fine of up to $15,000.

The prosecutor’s office has filed a motion to detain Merinuk pending trial.

Prosecutor 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 tip line at (888) 648-6007.

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