TRENTON, N.J. (WCBS 880) — A suspended Jersey City officer pleaded guilty Thursday for the attempted sexually assault of two underage girls, Acting Attorney General Andrew J. Bruck announced.
New Jersey prosecutors will recommend Stephen T. Wilson, 34, receive eight years in state prison, register as a sex offender and be subject to parol checkups for life after pleading guilty to one count of second-degree Attempted Aggravated Sexual Assault.
Wilson was arrested after he traveled to Atlantic City to meet adults who previously offered him access to underage girls on a chat app.
"Wilson had encountered the other adults through an incest chat group, and they offered him access to two girls, ages 10 and 8, to sexually assault in exchange for $200," officials said. "He had condoms and more than $500 in cash in his possession when he was arrested."
Buck called Wilson a "predator" who attempted to subvert the law, but was ultimately brought to justice.
“Let this sentence serve as a warning to anyone who believes they can exploit or prey on innocent children," Buck said in a statement. "We will continue to work with our partners to aggressively investigate and prosecute child predators.”
Director Lyndsay Ruotolo of the Division of Criminal Justice promised to continue coordinating with law enforcement agencies to arrest more offenders.
“We will continue partnering with law enforcement at all levels in order to expand our reach and capture those who seek to sexually abuse and exploit children," she said.
Wilson is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 21.