Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced that a 58-year-old Bordentown City man pled guilty today in Superior Court to having sexual contact with an underage male and possessing more than 1,000 images of child pornography.
Alan J. Berman, of the 100 block of Lucas Drive, pled guilty to one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Second Degree), and one count of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact (Third Degree).
Under an agreement with the Prosecutor’s Office, Berman could receive a prison term of up to eight years when sentenced by the Hon. Gerard H. Breland, J.S.C. on May 3.
The incident occurred last year at Berman’s residence. He was arrested in September 2018. The victim was between the ages of 13 and 16. He and his family were acquainted with Berman at the time of the offense.
The investigation into Berman’s actions began last year after the BCPO High-Tech Crimes Unit received intelligence from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children concerning his online activities. NCMEC was told by an Arkansas woman that her teenage son was contacted online by a man – later identified as Berman – who was attempting to engage the teen in inappropriate conversations.
The investigation was conducted by the Prosecutor’s Office, with assistance from the New Jersey State Police Digital Technology Investigations Unit, the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, Cherry Hill Office, and the Bordentown City Police Department.
Berman is being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor LaChia Bradshaw.
The lead investigator was BCPO High-Tech Crimes Unit Detective Kevin Sobotka. The BCPO is a member of the New Jersey State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and the New Jersey State Police Cyber Terrorism Task Force.