December 13, 2022
FREEHOLD, NJ (MONMOUTH) – A Monmouth County Jury has returned a guilty verdict against an Asbury Park man who sexually abused a juvenile over the course of a period of multiple years, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced Tuesday.
On Wednesday December 7, 2022, before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Richard W. English, Julian B. Hart, 38, of Asbury Park, was found guilty of first-degree Aggravated Sexual Assault, second-degree Sexual Assault, third-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child and third-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child for the Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Materials.
The charges stem from an investigation that was launched by the Asbury Park Police Department and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Bureau following a report made by the victim in the summer of 2021. The investigation revealed that Hart repeatedly sexually abused the victim, who was under the age of 12, on multiple occasions from September 27, 2014 through December 16, 2015. Hart was arrested and charged in August of 2021. Hart was later indicted on October 22, 2021.
The investigation also revealed that Hart was already on Megan’s Law and Parole Supervision for Life when these acts occurred.
Anyone who may have information about Hart can contact Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Joseph Pahopin at 800-533-7443 or Asbury Park Police Detective James R. Crawford at 732-774-1300.
Anyone who feels the need to remain anonymous but has information about a crime can submit a tip to Monmouth County Crime Stoppers by calling their confidential telephone tip-line at 1-800-671-4400; by downloading and using the free P3 Tips mobile app (available on iOS and Android – https://www.p3tips.com/1182), by calling 800-671-4400 or by going to the website at www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com
Sentencing has been scheduled for Friday April, 28, 2023, at which time Hart, pursuant to the Jessica Lunsford Act, faces a sentence of up to life in prison. Hart will be subject to Megan’s Law and Parole Supervision for Life.
The case is assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Stephanie Dugan.
Hart is represented by Michael Kuhns, Esq., of Lawrence Township.
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