Barnegat Man Charged With Attempted Sexual Assault Of 11-Year-Old: Prosecutor

BARNEGAT, NJ - The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office and Barnegat police have charged a Barnegat man with the attempted sexual assault of an 11-year-old girl.

Jesse Christiansen, 35, offered the victim candy and a wine cooler if she would lift up her shirt and allow him to touch her in an inappropriate manner, said Al Della Fave, spokesman for the Prosecutor's Office.

"The victim did not comply and reported the defendant's actions to her mother," Della Fave said.

Christiansen was also charged with endangering the welfare of a child, he said.

The incident occurred just after 9 p.m. on Sept. 13. The Ocean County Sheriff's Department's radio room received a call about an attempted sexual assault involving an 11-year-old girl, Della Fave said.

The subsequent investigation was conducted by Barnegat Detective William Hetrick and Ocean County Prosecutor Special Victims Detective Stephanie Bayha.

Senior Assistant Prosecutor Christine Lento approved the charges reviewed the investigation and approved the above charges. Christiansen was arrested on Sept. 14. He is being held on the above charges and on an outstanding warrant for shoplifting.

Photo: Ocean County Prosecutor's Office