New Jersey child exploitation crackdown nets men from NJ, PA, CT

⚠️ Mercer County investigators charged eight men after a months-long online child exploitation investigation.

➡️ The operation began in March and was timed ahead of the FIFA World Cup's expected influx of visitors.

🔴 The defendants, from New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut, face a range of child endangerment and attempted sex crime charges.

Law enforcement in Mercer County rounded up eight men accused of using social media to exploit and prey on children.

The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force began the months-long investigation in March, Mercer County Prosecutor Janetta D. Marbrey said.

Mercer County launched operation ahead of FIFA World Cup

“Operation Guardian Angel” was the name given by officers to the efforts timed to wrap mid-summer, as the FIFA World Cup matches drew a surge of visitors to New Jersey.

Eight men, ranging in age from 30 to 72 and who live in New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania and Connecticut, were arrested on a variety of child endangerment charges.

Who was charged in 'Operation Guardian Angel'

NJ Operation Guardian Angel arrests (Mercer County Prosecutor's Office)

Joseph Nesci, 55, of Hasbrouck Heights, NJ

Charges: second-degree attempted luring or enticing of a child, second-degree attempted sexual assault, three counts of third-degree attempted endangering the welfare of a child, fourth-degree attempted criminal sexual contact, second-degree attempted aggravated sexual assault

NJ Operation Guardian Angel arrests (Mercer County Prosecutor's Office)

Joseph Nicosia, 72, of Philadelphia

Charges: second-degree attempted sexual assault, two counts of third-degree attempted endangering the welfare of a child

NJ Operation Guardian Angel arrests (Mercer County Prosecutor's Office)

Connor O’Leary, 30, of Moorestown, NJ

Charges: second-degree attempted luring or enticing of a child, three counts of third-degree attempted endangering the welfare of a child, two counts of second-degree attempted sexual assault

NJ Operation Guardian Angel arrests (Mercer County Prosecutor's Office)

Brandon Lambert, 40, of Temple, Pa.

Charges: Three counts of third-degree attempted endangering the welfare of a child

NJ Operation Guardian Angel arrests (Mercer County Prosecutor's Office)

Richard Dickenson, 48, of Philadelphia

Charges: Two counts of third-degree attempted endangering the welfare of a child

NJ Operation Guardian Angel arrests (Mercer County Prosecutor's Office)

Kenneth Davis, 66, of East Haven, Conn.

Charges: Two counts of third-degree attempted endangering the welfare of a child,
fourth-degree attempted criminal sexual contact

Operation Guardian Angel arrests (Mercer County Prosecutor's Office)

Jose Adolfo Samayoa Ortiz, 51, of Plainfield, NJ

Charges: Two counts of third-degree attempted endangering the welfare of a child

is among Operation Guardian Angel arrests (Mercer County Prosecutor's Office)

Erik Gerstenacker, 36, of Hamilton, NJ

Charges: third-degree attempted endangering the welfare of a child

There were 8 men arrested in Operation Guardian Angel (Mercer County Prosecutor's Office)

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