Essex County Undersheriff Charged With Sex Crimes In N.J.

Authorities have charged Montclair resident James Pitts, an undersheriff with the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, with aggravated criminal sexual contact and endangering the welfare of a child.

Police arrested Pitts at his home on Nov. 11 and charged him with six acts of aggravated criminal contact and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, TAP Into reported.

The alleged victim was an underage female, Baristanet reported.

Pitts “supervises the daily activities of the Sheriff’s Office’s courts, security and transportation divisions,” according to the agency’s website.

The law enforcement officer was presented with the Essex County Sheriff’s Unit Citation during National Police Week ceremonies in 2012, an award given for overall job performance excellence.

In 2013, Pitts’ son – James Pitts – was charged with conspiracy to commit robbery and violate narcotics laws following the murder of a Villanova University student.

• See article: Montclair Man Indicted in Murder of Villanova Student

Charged alongside Pitts was Ernest Williams Jr., who was convicted of aggravated manslaughter, robbery and other offenses earlier this month.

• See article: Montclair Man Convicted For Fatal Shooting Of College Student