Man, 57, accused of sexually assaulting 13-year-old he chatted with online – nj.com

A 57-year-old man was arrested last week after authorities accused him of sexually assaulting a young teenager he met online, officials said.

Bradley O’Dell, of North Arlington, was charged on Oct. 8 with sexual assault, endangering the welfare of a child and luring a minor, according to a statement released Wednesday by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Belleville Police Department.

The victim, a 13-year-old, said O’Dell met the minor on an online dating app and after exchanging messages, he arranged for the teen to meet him in person, the office said.

The teen was sexually assaulted three times over the course of last month after they met in Belleville, Lyndhurst and Nutley, police alleged.

O’Dell was charged following an investigation by the Belleville Police Department, officials said.

“This case highlights how important it is for parents to play an active role in their children’s online behavior and to monitor usage of social media,” Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II said in a statement.

The office asked anyone with more information about the case to contact the special victims unit at 973-753-1130.

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Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.