Assistant Comptroller for Jersey City Arrested in Multi County Sex Chat Sting Friday, November 13, 2009 Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes, Esq., Passaic County Sheriff Jerry Speziale, and Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq. announce the arrest of 41 year-old Wall Township, New Jersey resident, Joseph Ambrosio.
Mr. Ambrosio, who is employed as an Assistant Comptroller for Jersey City, was charged with one count of Attempted Sexual Assault, a crime of the second degree; 6 counts of Attempted Endangering the Welfare of a Child, crimes of the third degree, and one count of Attempted Criminal Sexual Contact, a crime of the fourth degree.
The Attempted Sexual Assault charge carries a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in the New Jersey State Prison. The Endangering the Welfare of a Child charges each carry a maximum sentence of up to five years in the New Jersey State Prison. The Attempted Criminal Sexual Contact charge carries a maximum sentence of up to 18 months in New Jersey State Prison.
The joint investigation was conducted by the Passaic County Sheriff’s Department, Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.
The Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Bayonne Police Department and the Jersey City Police Department provided assistance during this investigation.
Investigators from the various law enforcement agencies, acting in an undercover capacity, posed as female children in an online chat room. Joseph Ambrosio allegedly engaged the female "children" in sexually explicit chats.
Mr. Ambrosio was arrested on November 13, 2009 at 7:10 a.m. at his residence located in Wall Township.
Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes, Esq., Passaic County Sheriff Jerry Speziale and Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq. jointly stated:
"This arrest is another example of how interagency collaboration throughout the state can have a positive impact upon law enforcement. We are committed and unified in our mission to protect our youth and to vigorously investigate and prosecute those persons who attempt to cause them harm."
Morris County Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Melanie Smith, Esq., will be prosecuting the case with respect to the Morris County charges.
Passaic County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Joeph A. Del Russo, Esq., is prosecuting the case with respect to the Passaic County Charges.
Despite these pending charges, they are merely allegations, and every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt following a jury trial at which the defendant has all of his or her rights guaranteed by the U.S. and New Jersey Constitution and relevant state law.