MERCER COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE INTERNET CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN CHARGES HAMILTON NEW JERSEY MAN
" Francis Frobose Of Hamilton Charged With Attempted Kidnapping, Attempted Sexual Assault, Luring, & Child Endangerment."
November 3, 2021 By Art Fletcher Reporting For: Englebrook Independent News,
TRENTON, NJ.- On Monday, November 1, 2021 Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri announced that an investigation into online child exploitation has resulted in the arrest of a Hamilton, New Jersey man.
Francis Frobose, 26, of Hamilton, New Jersey, is Charged with Second Degree Attempted Kidnapping; Second Degree Attempted Luring; Second Degree Attempted Sexual Assault; and Third Degree Attempted Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office has filed a motion to detain Mr. Frobose pending trial. Mr. Frobose is being held in the Mercer County Correction Center in Hopewell, New Jersey and a Detention Hearing is scheduled for this week in Mercer County Superior Court before Judge Robert W. Bingham II.
In August 2021, Detectives with the Prosecutor’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit began an investigation into individuals attempting to use the internet to Sexually Exploit Children.
Mr. Frobose was identified as a subject and began chatting online with ICAC Detectives. More than 100 Messages were exchanged between Mr. Frobose and Detectives. The complaint alleges Mr. Frobose described the Sexual Acts that were to be committed, set up a meet, and showed up to the location to pick up an individual he believed to be a 15- Year-Old Girl and engage in the Sexual Conduct discussed.
On Thursday afternoon, October 28, 2021, Detectives followed Mr. Frobose from his Hamilton, New Jersey home to the meet location, where he was taken into custody without incident by Officers with the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office.
If convicted, Second Degree Crimes carry a sentence of Five to Ten Years in New Jersey State Prison and a Fine of up to $150,000. Third Degree Crimes carry a sentence of Three to Five Years in New Jersey State Prison and a Fine of up to $15,000.
Mercer County Prosecutor Onofri urges anyone with information about suspected improper contact by unknown persons communicating with children via the internet or possible exploitation or sexual abuse of children to please contact his Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit at 609-989-6568 or the New Jersey Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force tip line at 888-648-6007.
“I want the residents of Mercer County to know we are out there online, protecting our children,” Prosecutor Onofri said. “This year alone, the ICAC Task Force has conducted 180 investigations into child pornography, child exploitation and luring minors to engage in illicit sexual activity. Thirty search warrants have been executed and 29 people have been charged, with more than 100,000 child pornography images and videos recovered.”
“We will use every investigative tool at our disposal to aggressively pursue and prosecute these predators that attempt to exploit our most innocent victims,” he continued.
" The Rules Of The Court Require Us To Include A Statement, Which States: The Charges Outlined In This Publication Are Merely Accusations And The Defendant And Or Defendants Are Presumed Innocent Unless And Until Proven Guilty Beyond Reasonable Doubt."
FILED UNDER NOVEMBER 3, 2021: LAW, MERCER: