Middlesex Boro Man Who Sexually Assaulted 2 Minors In Nomahegan Park Sentenced

MIDDLESEX, NJ — A Middlesex borough man was sentenced to eight years in state prison for sexually assaulting two juveniles, whom he met online after he posed as a minor, said Union County Prosecutor William Daniel.

Samuel Perl, 36, pleaded guilty in July 2025 to first-degree aggravated sex assault by sexual penetration (victim under 13) and one count of second-degree sexual assault by sexual contact (victim under 13).

The underage sex assaults took place in 2011, said the Union County Prosecutor, in Nomahegan Park in Cranford. Police say Perl, in his 20s at the time, portrayed himself as a minor in order to meet underage victims online. He met the two minors in the popular county park, and that is where the sex assaults occurred.

The minors told police what happened on January 15, 2025. Perl was arrested June 3 and taken to the Union County jail, where he remained until he was transferred to a New Jersey state prison in December.

He must serve 85 percent of the sentence before being eligible for parole. Perl is also subject to Megan’s Law, Nicole’s Law (which allows for victims of certain sex offenses to obtain restraining orders against their abusers), parole supervision for life upon release and monetary court fines.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Izabella Wozniak.

“We commend the exceptional work of Detective Tara Moran of the Union County Police Department and Union County Prosecutor’s Office Assistant Prosecutor Izabella Wozniak for their unwavering commitment to protect the public and prosecute such heinous crimes”, said Union County Prosecutor William Daniel. “This sentencing will not erase the trauma inflicted on the victims, but it sends a clear message that the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, along with all law enforcement agencies in Union County, are committed to pursuing the prosecution of individuals who prey on vulnerable children.”