Firefighter Pleads Guilty To Luring In 2018 Child Predator Bust In Toms River

TOMS RIVER, NJ — An Atlantic County man has pleaded guilty to luring in connection with his arrest in an undercover operation in Toms River in 2018 that resulted in 24 arrests, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office announced Tuesday.

Richard Hoffman, 26, of Mays Landing, pled guilty on Monday before Superior Court Judge Guy P. Ryan, Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said. He is scheduled to be sentenced on April 29, with an anticipated sentence of five years in prison and will be required to register as a sex offender under Megan's Law, the announcement said.

Hoffman, who was a firefighter and college student at the time, was arrested on Sept. 5, 2018, as part of Operation Open House, a multi-agency undercover operation led by the New Jersey Department of Criminal Justice, New Jersey Regional Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office. Read more: 24 Alleged Child Predators Arrested In Big Statewide NJ Bust

The operation targeted men who were using the social media applications Whispr and Kik to try to lure underage girls and boys for sexual activity, authorities said.

Hoffman believed he was chatting with a 14-year-old girl and arranged to meet her at a home in Toms River for purposes of engaging in sexual activity, Billhimer said. In reality, Hoffman was chatting with an undercover detective from the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office.

On Sept. 5, 2018, Hoffman arrived at the prearranged location in Toms River and was arrested. He was arrested and taken to the Ocean County Jail, and later released as a consequence of New Jersey bail reform, authorities said.

Billhimer thanked a lengthy list of law enforcement agencies that participated in the investigation that led to the guilty plea.

Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters here, or download our app to have breaking news alerts sent right to your phone. Have a news tip? Email karen.wall@patch.com