Prosecutor: Area Man Convicted of Repeated Sexual Abuse of Pre-Teen

A Monmouth County man has been found guilty of sexually abusing a pre-teen over the course of several years, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced on Tuesday.

On Wednesday Dec. 7, Julian B. Hart, 38, of Asbury Park, was found guilty of: first-degree aggravated sexual assault, second-degree sexual assault, third-degree endangering the welfare of a child and third-degree endangering the welfare of a child for the possession of child sexual abuse materials.

Sentencing has been scheduled for Friday April, 28, 2023, at which time Hart, pursuant to the Jessica Lunsford Act, faces a sentence of up to life in prison. Hart will also be subject to Megan’s Law and parole supervision for life.

The charges stem from a joint investigation launched by the Asbury Park Police Department and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Bureau following a report made by the victim in the summer of 2021.

The investigation revealed that Hart repeatedly sexually abused the victim, who was under the age of 12, on multiple occasions from Sept. 27, 2014 through Dec. 16, 2015. Hart was arrested and charged in August of 2021. Hart was later indicted on Oct. 22, 2021.

The investigation also revealed that Hart was already on Megan’s Law and parole supervision for life when these acts occurred.

Anyone who may have information about Hart is asked to contact Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Joseph Pahopin at 800-533-7443 or Asbury Park Police Detective James R. Crawford at 732-774-1300.

Anyone who feels the need to remain anonymous but has information about a crime can submit a tip to Monmouth County Crime Stoppers by calling their confidential telephone tip-line at 1-800-671-4400; by downloading and using the free P3 Tips mobile app, available on iOS and Android at https://www.p3tips.com/1182, by calling 800-671-4400, or by going to the website at www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com

— Edited press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office

Scene Around: Where’s the Fire, Santa?

Where’s the fire, Santa? Or were you just out for a joy ride on the big white truck? Prospective answers are questionable in the face of the Santa sighting on Friday in Fair Haven.

The answers? Well, they say that once a year, Santa parks his reindeer-drawn sleigh at the Fair Haven Firehouse and hitches a ride on the flashing, blaring firetruck to greet all the good boys and girls in town and kick off holiday festivities and a tree lighting.

Everyone accepts it as fact. And considering the joyous holiday mayhem overriding usual inquiring little minds that won’t quit, no kid ever really wondered why he couldn’t just ride that sleigh a few blocks down the street. I mean, he had already made it all the way from that North Pole. What’s a few blocks more? Something’s elfin-like mysterious about this firehouse/fire truck affinity of ol’ Saint Nick’s.

Then there’s his obvious friendship with the firefighters (ahem, as witnessed in the featured photo). Hmmmmm …

Yeah, yeah, he sees and knows all. But, what’s the Santa deal with being sleighed by all things fire company?

OK. Suspicions of decades’ long Santa and his magic firefighter connection pretty much point to one thing: In his spare time, Santa’s a fireman. Well, he’s at least a firemen groupie.

My mother always told me that the firehouse and firetruck Santa we saw around town before Christmas was an elf subbing for the real deal. Na. Sorry, Mom. I think the other deduction is more on target. Ho, no? Ho, yes!

And, hey, kids, should the suspicion be true, it’s a double the Santa pleasure for you. Let’s face it, between the trucks, the firehouse, the reindeer, the suits (fire and red) and the lights, sirens and action, there’s nothing more magical.

Oh, right. There’s the volunteer spirit and smile. Wait. Does Santa stay at the firehouse until it’s time for more of those traditional photos there? Molly Pitcher? Hmmmm …

Cheers to the Santa spirit! And thanks to the fire company elves for capturing the moments.

— Photos/FHFD media