Defendant also admitted taking a nude photo of a young boy in Camden County
MOUNT HOLLY – Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced that a 22-year-old Camden man pled guilty today in Superior Court to sexually assaulting a young girl in Maple Shade earlier this year.
Jermaine J. Ward, of the 1000 block of Carl Miller Boulevard, was acquainted with the girl, who was under five years old at the time of the assault. Additional information about the victim and details of the assault are being withheld in an effort to protect her identity.
Under an agreement with the Prosecutor’s Office, Ward pled guilty to one count of Aggravated Sexual Assault (First Degree) in exchange for a recommended sentence in state prison of 15 years.
In addition, Ward pled guilty to Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Second Degree) for taking a nude picture of a young boy earlier this year in Pennsauken, Camden County. He is expected to receive five years in state prison for that offense. Under details of the agreement, the term will run consecutive to the Aggravated Sexual Assault sentence.
The Hon. Terrence R. Cook, P.J.Cr., scheduled sentencing for March 15, 2019.
Ward is being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Stephen Eife, supervisor of the Special Victims Section of the BCPO Major Crimes Unit. The Burlington County case was investigated by detectives from the Maple Shade Police Department and the Prosecutor’s Office. The investigation was led by Maple Shade Detective Scott Supernowicz and BCPO Detective Mel Rodgers.