Lacey Man Tried To Lure Children For Sex: AG

LACEY, NJ — A Lanoka Harbor man was charged with human trafficking and more after he thought he was arranging to have sex with two young children when he really was speaking with an undercover cop, authorities said.

Daniel J. Dagostino, 39, is charged by complaint with two counts of human trafficking (first degree and second degree), two counts of attempting to engage in sex with a child who was less than 13-years-old (second degree), attempting to lure a child for sex (second degree) and two counts of attempting to debauch the morals of a child (third degree), Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ), and the New Jersey State Police said.

“Crimes against children are especially heinous, and the defendant in this case is charged with using the internet to prey upon children,” Platkin said. “He allegedly believed he was arranging to have sex with children ages 8 and 10. This kind of predatory online behavior will not be tolerated. The defendant now faces serious charges for his alleged actions.”

Dagostino contacted an undercover law enforcement officer purporting to be an adult man with access to a 6-year-old girl on an online platform on Feb. 7, authorities said. The two moved their conversation to a messaging app, where the undercover cop said he had access to an 8-year-old girl and a 10-year-old girl, authorities said.

Dagostino allegedly initiated a sexual conversation about the girls, requested photos of them, and sent photos of himself and his New Jersey driver's license, which was later used to identify him, officials said.

Arrangements were made to meet at a hotel, where Dagostino would have sex with the girls while the other man watched, authorities said.

On Feb. 22, Dagostino communicated with the undercover officer during his travels and arrived a the predetermined destination with candy and a condom, officials said. He was arrested at the location and a consent search of his vehicle produced a condom box, a note and candy, according to authorities.

Dagostino faces up to 20 years in prison for the charges.