Ex-Dunellen Rec Director Admits To Molesting Two More Teens

DUNELLEN, NJ — A man who once worked as the recreation director in both Dunellen and North Plainfield admitted Friday that he sexually molested two more underage victims while he coached a traveling boys' basketball team.

Christopher Tarver, 45, who lives in Jackson Township, is also formerly the basketball coach at Middlesex County Men's College. He was fired from all his jobs working with youth when he was arrested in 2014.

Middlesex County prosecutors say the heinous sex crimes he was convicted of occurred between June 1, 2010 and December 31, 2011, when Tarver was a coach and recreation director. The investigation began after one of the victims, now an adult, notified authorities. That victim was a member of the Monmouth Power Sports Club, a traveling basketball team affiliated with the AAU. Tarver had been the coach and executive director of the team since 1995.

The victim said Tarver sexually assaulted him multiple times, in Edison, Atlantic City, as well as inside the Dunellen Recreation Center. During the two years when the crimes were committed, Tarver had supervisory power and the legal duty to care for the teen. The abuse started when the boy was 15 years old.

Tarver was found guilty by a jury on 20 criminal counts on Nov. 15 of last year, including eight counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Two more victims came forward and he admitted this week to molesting them.

He was also found in possession of child pornography when police raided his Jackson Township home on April 8, 2014.

Tarver began working as the Dunellen Recreation Director in 2004, but was suspended soon after he was arrested in 2014. He was employed as a men’s basketball coach at Middlesex County College from October 21, 2006 to March 5, 2014 and became the college’s head basketball coach on June 24, 2010.

Tarver is facing a prison term of up to 50 years in prison when he is sentenced in New Brunswick on March 9.

Prior Patch reporting: Ex-Dunellen Rec Director To Be Sentenced For Child Sex Crimes

Photo of Christopher Tarver provided by the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office