Crime, Regional Interest

Prosecutor: 48-Year-Old Man Arrested on Charges of Luring, Attempted Sexual Assault of 14-Year-Old Boy

A 48-year-old man has been arrested and charged with seeking a sexual encounter with a 14-year-old boy, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced on Thursday.

Jonar I. Arenas, 48, of Bloomfield, has been charged with second-degree luring, second-degree attempted sexual assault of a minor and third-degree attempted endangering the welfare of a child.

If convicted, Arenas could face five to 10 years in state prison and be subject to the provisions of Megan’s Law registration and parole supervision for life.

The case background …

An investigation was initiated in August by a Prosecutor’s Office detective from the High Tech Bureau who went undercover on a social media app. While monitoring the app, the detective was contacted by another user, later identified as Arenas.  

After discussions on the app and other forms of communication, Arenas attempted to set up a sexual encounter with a person that he believed was a 14-year-old boy.

On Wednesday, Sept. 18, Arenas was arrested and transported to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution (MCCI) pending future court proceedings in Monmouth County Superior Court.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Anthony Lacher at 800-533-7443.

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; downloading and using the free P3 Tips mobile app, available on iOS and Android at https://www.p3tips.com/1182; calling 800-671-4400; or going to the website at www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com.

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