Prosecutor: Detective Charged with Obscenity Toward Minor, Child Endangerment

A Sheriff’s Office detective from another county is facing charges stemming from incidents in which he was allegedly trying to engage in sexual acts with and send a lewd picture to a child, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced on Monday.

Bergen County Sheriff’s Office Detective Michael Vermeylen, 42, of Oak Ridge (Morris County), has been charged with third-degree endangering the welfare of a child and third-degree obscenity to minors in connection with the incidents.

An investigation was initiated by a Prosecutor’s Office detective acting in an undercover capacity and monitoring the victim’s phone. The investigation revealed that Vermeylen sent inappropriate sexual text messages to the victim, a known acquaintance and Monmouth County resident. The investigation further revealed that Vermeylen expressed his attraction to the juvenile, and sent a naked picture of himself to the victim.

Vermeylen was arrested on Friday, Feb. 7, and transported to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution (MCCI) pending proceedings in Monmouth County Superior Court.

Anyone with information about Vermeylen’s activities is being urged to contact MCPO Detective Anthony Lacher at 800-533-7443.

This case is being prosecuted by Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Joseph Competello of the MCPO High Tech Bureau. Vermeylen is being represented by Mark Bernstein, Esq., with an office in New Brunswick.

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