East Brunswick Man Arrested After Allegedly Engaging Child In Sexual Conduct

Federal agents arrested an East Brunswick man Friday in Mercer County for violating the Mann Act, a federal law prohibiting interstate transportation of a minor for illicit purposes, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Jayme Shannon, 51, was arrested at a residence in East Windsor Friday by FBI agents and detectives with the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office on a federal complaint charging him with interstate transportation of a minor for illicit purposes.

Shannon is scheduled to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Falk in Newark federal court Friday afternoon.

According to the Complaint:

In September 2013, Shannon met the 15-year old victim in the internet chat room “Chatavenue.com” and continued to communicate with the victim in September and October 2013.

On Oct. 14, 2013, Shannon arranged to meet the victim at the Skyview Motel in Fort Lee. After renting a motel room that morning, Shannon drove from New Jersey to New York, where he picked up the victim. Shannon then drove the victim from New York to the motel for the purpose of engaging in sexual conduct and did, in fact, engage in sexual conduct with the victim in the motel.

On Oct. 14, 2013, police officers found Shannon and the victim inside the Skyview Motel. Fort Lee Police arrested Shannon, who was charged in New Jersey Superior Court with sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child.

The federal count with which Shannon is charged carries a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Aaron T. Ford; the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction ofProsecutor John L. Molinelli; and the Fort Lee Police Department, under the direction of Chief Keith Bendul, with the investigation leading today’s arrest.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Hafetz of the U.S. Attorney’s General Crimes Unit in Newark.

The charge and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.