Jeffrey B. Sanders Jr. was taken into custody on July 16 after cops were called to an apartment complex by someone who had been communicating with him online, North Bergen police said.
The person who contacted the police runs a YouTube channel focused on catching child predators, according to Patch.com. That person provided police with chat logs showing Sanders had been having explicit chats with who he believed to be a 13-year-old girl, officials said.
Sanders admitted to investigators he sent sexually explicit photographs and videos and engaged in sexually explicit conversations, police said.
He is charged with luring a child, attempted sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child.
An attorney for Sanders is not listed in court records. A Newark schools spokesperson declined to say if Sanders was fired or suspended.
“The safety and well-being of our students remain our highest priority, and the district continues to take all necessary measures to maintain safe and supportive learning environments across all schools and programs,” spokesman Paul Brubaker said.
Anyone with information that can help the ongoing investigation is asked to call North Bergen police at 201-392-2141. Anonymous tips can be emailed to tips@northbergenpd.com.
