Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on February 18, 2025, Massinissa Ladj, 18, of Jackson, was charged with Sexual Assault, three counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and four counts of Lewdness, in connection with incidents that occurred in Lakewood Township on January 21, 2025, January 23, 2025, February 5, 2025, and February 11, 2025.
On January 24, 2025, the Lakewood Township Police Department received a report that on the previous date, January 23, 2025, a male wearing a ski mask and driving a black vehicle summoned a 16 year-old female walking down East 5th Avenue to approach his vehicle. As the girl approached the vehicle, the male made motions consistent with masturbation and then drove off. Further investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and Lakewood Township Police Department revealed that a similar incident had occurred on January 21, 2025 involving a 12 year-old female victim – also in the area of East 5th Avenue; a male wearing a black surgical mask and operating a black vehicle called over the female, masturbated in front of her, and then sped away in his vehicle.
On February 11, 2025, Lakewood Police Officers were again contacted when a woman walking with her baby on North Lake Drive reported that a male, driving a black vehicle, pulled over and asked for directions. When the woman approached the vehicle, the male was masturbating. The vehicle again left the area. While investigating this incident, law enforcement discovered that on February 5, 2025, a male matching the description of the suspect in the earlier incidents called a 14 year-old female over to his vehicle. When the girl approached the vehicle, the male was masturbating. Law enforcement was able to obtain a description of the suspect’s vehicle.
Continuing investigation revealed that Ladj was the individual responsible for the aforementioned incidents. On February 18, 2025, as Ladj was leaving his residence in Jackson, Officers from the Jackson Township Police Department effectuated a motor vehicle stop on Ladj’s vehicle. Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Squad, Lakewood Township Police Department, Jackson Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, thereafter executed a court-authorized search warrant on Ladj’s vehicle. Ladj was taken into custody at the scene without incident; he was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Squad, Lakewood Township Police Department, Jackson Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, for their combined and collective assistance in connection with this investigation.
The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).