Long Branch Man Sought Sexual Contact With 13-Year-Old: Prosecutor

LONG BRANCH, NJ — A joint operation done by the Monmouth County Prosecutor's office working with the FBI has resulted in a Long Branch man being arrested and criminally charged with seeking a sexual encounter with a 13-year-old girl, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey announced Thursday.

Samuel H. Christopher, 66, is charged with second-degree luring, second-degree attempted sexual assault of a minor, third-degree attempted endangering the welfare of a child, and fourth-degree attempted criminal sexual contact with a minor.

The investigation began earlier this summer, when Christopher engaged in conversations with an undercover officer online, believing the officer to be a 13-year-old girl, said the prosecutor.

Christopher allegedly made it clear that he was interested in meeting with the girl to engage in a sexual encounter. Christopher then made arrangements to meet the girl in Belmar, and he was taken into custody without incident at the time and location of their planned meeting.

Anyone with any information about Christopher’s activities is urged to contact Prosecutor’s Office Detective Dawn Correia at 800-533-7443.

He is currently in the Monmouth County Jail.