South Toms River Official Charged With Sexual Assault Of Child

SOUTH TOMS RIVER, NJ — A South Toms River borough official has been charged with sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child, according to court records.

William Gleason, 68, was arrested Saturday, according to the Ocean County Corrections website.

Gleason is charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child under age 13, aggravated sexual assault of a child between the ages of 13 and 16, sexual assault of a victim more than four years younger than him, aggravated criminal sexual contact, and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, according to the website.

He had a first appearance in Superior Court in Ocean County Monday before Judge Joseph Grisanti and is being held until a detention hearing, which has been scheduled for Thursday.

Gleason is head of the South Toms River Recreation Commission, and also serves on the borough's Land Use Board as its secretary, according to the borough's website. He served as a member of the Borough Council for several years. He also has served in the borough's Office of Emergency Management on the Community Emergency Response Team and served on the sewerage authority for a time.

In addition, Gleason is president of the South Toms River Optimist Club, according to the club's website.

The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said it would not be releasing information on the case "due to the nature of the offense and the age of the victim, as a normal course of business."

A message to South Toms River Mayor Oscar Cradle seeking comment was not answered.