Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced that a 62-year-old Bass River man was sentenced today in Superior Court to 20 years in New Jersey state prison for sexually assaulting an underage girl over a period of several years.
Joseph Kaelin pled guilty in February to Aggravated Sexual Assault (First Degree) before the Hon. Terrence R. Cook, P.J.Cr., who handed down the sentence. The term was the result of a plea agreement with the BCPO. Under the agreement, Kaelin will not become eligible for parole and must serve the entire 20-year sentence.
“Today, justice was served for the despicable crimes committed by this defendant on someone whom he was supposed to protect,” Prosecutor Coffina said. “The survivor demonstrated tremendous courage in presenting the Court with a powerful statement today, and we as an Office express our admiration for her family in pulling together to support her. We pray for healing for them all.”
Kaelin was arrested in June 2019, following an investigation that began when the victim divulged the abuse to family members, who then contacted police.
The investigation revealed that Kaelin had abused the girl over a multi-year period. He ordered his victim not to tell anyone about the abuse.
Kaelin was prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Stephen Eife, supervisor of the BCPO Major Crimes Unit – Special Victims Section. The investigation was conducted by the New Jersey State Police.