Man Faces Alleged Sexual Assault, Child Porn Charges

OCEAN CITY – Cape May County Prosecutor Robert L. Taylor and Ocean City Police Chief Chad Callahan announce the arrest of Patrick Hartman, 23, of Millville, N.J.   
On March 31, Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, High Technology Crimes Unit, along with the Ocean City Police Department initiated an endangering the welfare of a child investigation involving a juvenile victim. As a result of this investigation, on May 4, a court authorized search warrant was executed at Hartman’s residence in Millville, N.J. Seized as a result of the search warrant were several electronic items and photographs.
As a result of this investigation, Hartman was arrested in Ocean City on May 4, and charged with sexual assault, second degree, endangering the welfare of a child, third degree, luring, second degree, obscenities to minors, third degree, and possession of child pornography, third degree.
Prosecutor Taylor would like to recognize Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-Division), Customs and Border Protection (Office of Air and Marine), Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office, Millville Police Department, Ocean City Police Department and New Jersey State Police, Digital Technology Unit, for their assistance in this investigation.
Prosecutor Taylor advises that individuals charged with a second degree crime are subject to a term of imprisonment of five to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison, and individuals charged with a third degree crime are subject to a term of imprisonment of three to five years in New Jersey State Prison.
This investigation is part of the ongoing effort by the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office and the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, to identify those involved in the child pornography trade.
Prosecutor Taylor continues to urge the citizens of Cape May County to report any information regarding child exploitation or any criminal activity within the community and that information can be reported anonymously through the Cape May County Sheriff’s Tip Line at cmcsheriff.net and click on anonymous tip, or through the Cape May County Crime Stoppers at 609-465-2800 or 877-465-2801, or to the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-465-1135.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty. This report is based on information received from the Prosecutor’s Office.