Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on September 9, 2026, Seth Bowles, 21, of Lacey Township, was indicted by a Grand Jury sitting in Ocean County on charges of Manufacturing Child Sexual Abuse Material, Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material, Sexual Assault, two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Minor, and two counts of Distributing Obscene Materials to a Minor.
An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Squad and Lacey Township Police Department revealed that between September 2025 and January 2026, Bowles sent nude photographs of himself to a 15-year-old female and requested images of child sexual abuse material from the minor. Further investigation revealed that Bowles instructed the minor to engage in sexual conduct and send him videos and photographs of her engaging in that conduct.
On January 15, 2026, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Squad and Lacey Township Police Department executed a court-authorized search warrant on Bowles’ residence in Lacey Township where several electronic items were seized. Bowles was taken into custody at Lacey Township Police Department Headquarters; he was transported to the Ocean County Jail and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
Further investigation revealed that Bowles was also communicating with a 13-year-old female in Nebraska during this time using Kik Messenger. Bowles sent a nude image to this minor and engaged in sexual conversations with her.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Shanon Chant-Berry who presented the case to the Grand Jury on behalf of the State, and commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Squad and Lacey Township Police Department for their combined efforts 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).