Hackettstown Man Sexually Assaulted Child, Fiance Saw: WCPO

HACKETTSTOWN, NJ — A Hackettstown man is accused of sexually assaulting a young child, while the man's fiance saw and failed to report it, Warren County Prosecutor Richard T. Burke said.

Thomas Strait, 34, from Hackettstown, is accused of sexually assaulting a child under 13 years old multiple times, Burke said. Cody Ringwald, 33, also from Hackettstown, saw Strait assault the child and failed to prevent it or act, Burke said. Both knew the child, Burke said.

Strait is charged with three counts of aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault by contact, and endangering the welfare of a child. Ringwald faces charges of aggravated sexual assault as an accomplice, sexual assault by contact as an accomplice, and endangering the welfare of a child.

Social media accounts list the pair as engaged. Burke confirmed that the pair are in a relationship.

If convicted, each face life in sentence on the aggravated sexual assault charges under the Jessica Lunsford Act.

Both are currently lodged in the Warren County Correctional Facility with upcoming court dates in superior court scheduled for Tuesday.