NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) –A former recreation leader and foster parent was charged for allegedly sexually assaulting a child, prosecutors said on Tuesday.
William Gleason, 68, was charged on Nov. 24, following an investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office Special Victims Unit which found that between 2015 and 2020, Gleason sexually assaulted a minor who lived in his home.
Prosecutors have not disclosed the exact nature of Gleason's relationship with the victim, but noted that he previously served as a foster parent.
Gleason was also the Commissioner for the South Toms River Recreation Commission from 2016 through 2021.
Gleason was arrested on charges including two counts of aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual contact, and for endangering the welfare of a child.
He surrendered himself the day after and is now being held at the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
"Although the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office does not typically issue press releases in matters such as this due to their sensitive nature and out of respect for the victim's privacy, Gleason's previous position as head of the South Toms River Recreation Commission, and perhaps more importantly his former role as a foster parent, necessitated this particular alert to the public," Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.
The prosecutor's office is asking anyone with tips about the case to call Detective Delaney Huber at 732-929-2027, ext. 3218.
