Crime & Safety
Lakehurst Man Tried To Lure Teen For Sex Via Snapchat: Prosecutor
Authorities said a two-month investigation showed he tried to arrange meetings with the teen through Snapchat and Instagram.
LAKEHURST, NJ — A Lakehurst man who allegedly used Snapchat and Instagram to try to meet and have sex with a teenage girl has been charged with luring and attempted sexual assault, authorities announced.
Kevin Van Pelt, 29, was arrested May 1 at his home in Lakehurst, Chief Thomas Gilbert of the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office said. The arrest followed a two-month investigation by Woolwich Township police and the prosecutor's office that found Van Pelt met the 14-year-old victim online and then talked to her through Snapchat and Instagram, trying to convince her to meet with him.
He asked the girl to send him nude photos and repeatedly tried to arrange a meeting, the Courier-Post of Cherry Hill reported.
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Van Pelt is charged with attempted criminal sexual assault, luring and endangering the welfare of a child. He remains in the Salem County jail, according to jail records online.
The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office assisted in the arrest, Gilbert said.
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