June 11, 2024
Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone announced today, that four arrests were made in “Operation Cruel Summer,” a multi-agency undercover operation targeting people who allegedly were using social media in an attempt to lure underage children for sexual activity.
Operation Cruel Summer was led by the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit of The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, with assistance from, the East Brunswick Police Department, Carteret Police Department, Highland Park Police Department, New Brunswick Police Department, Perth Amboy Police Department, Piscataway Police Department, Sayreville Police Department, South Brunswick Police Department, South River Police Department, the United States Secret Service, and the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office. Four men were arrested without incident and charged over the course of five days, June 3, 2024, through June 6, 2024, and June 10, 2024.
The underage “children” that the perpetrators were speaking with were, in fact, undercover officers. The defendants were arrested when they arrived at a location in East Brunswick, where they expected to find the child. Instead, they were met with several law enforcement officers prepared to arrest them.
“This operation’s success is a beacon of hope for our community and a stark warning to those who attempt to victimize our most vulnerable population: we will relentlessly pursue justice.” – Chief Frank LoSacco
Mohamed Mohamed, 41, of Jersey City, was charged with one count of second- degree Luring.
Peter Wissemann, 27, of Colonia, was charged with one count of second-degree Luring and one count of third-degree Criminal Attempt – Endangering Sexual Conduct with a Child.
Malyar Baron, 32, of Jersey City, was charged with one count of second-degree Luring, one count of second-degree Criminal Attempt -Endangering, one count of third- degree Distributing Obscene Material to a Minor, and one count of third-degree Criminal Attempt – Endangering Sexual Conduct with a Child.
Edgar Rivera, 65, of Piscataway, was charged with one count of second-degree Luring and one count of third-degree Criminal Attempt – Endangering Sexual Conduct with a Child.
The investigation is active and continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit of The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745-3300.
Prosecutor Ciccone would like to commend the agencies involved in Operation Cruel Summer, thanks to their dedication to public safety and tenacious hard work, four alleged child predators have been arrested.
As is the case with all criminal defendants, the charges against Mohamed, Wissemann, Baron and Rivera are merely accusations, and they are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
