Man Caught With Morris Teen After Explicit Online Relationship: Cops

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. – A South Jersey man was arrested in Florham Park recently when police say they found him with a 16-year-old he had formed an online relationship with.

At 7 a.m. on Friday, March 11, police responded to the parking lot of Emmett Field for a report of a vehicle with fresh damage, Det. Sgt. Scott Bartell said. Officers Joseph Rega and Joel Phillips located the car and found Russell Decker, 32, of Sicklerville inside the vehicle with a 16-year-old, Bartell said.

The officers smelled alcohol coming from the vehicle and on Decker, Bartell said. Decker then told police the damage to his vehicle was from a prior incident.

An investigation determined that Decker and the teen – who was not identified – met online and formed a relationship where both the man and alleged victim exchanged explicit photos and videos of themselves to each other, Bartell said.

The investigation also determined the damage to Decker’s vehicle was done shortly prior to his arrest when he backed into a dumpster at the Florham Park Pool.

Decker was charged with endangering the welfare of a child, exhibiting obscene material to a child, and possession of child pornography, all in the third degree.

He was also charged with driving while suspended, driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, failure to report an accident, expired driver’s license, and under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance.

Decker was lodged in Morris County Correctional Facility in lieu of $20,000 bail and given a court date.