Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on February 19, 2025, Michael Marto, 28, of Tuckerton, was charged with Sexual Assault, Luring, Lewdness, and four counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, in connection with incidents that occurred on November 24, 2024, December 5, 2024, December 12, 2024, and January 5, 2025 – all in Lakewood.
On November 24, 2024, the Lakewood Township Police Department received a report regarding a male traveling in a motor vehicle and exposing his penis to a 10 year-old female victim as she was riding a Segway on Locust Street. Investigating Officers were able to obtain a description of the suspect.
On December 5, 2024, Lakewood Township Police were again contacted for a report of a black Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) following a 15 year-old female victim in the area of Coleman Avenue and Milton Street. An investigation by responding Officers determined that as the victim was walking on Milton Street, the SUV maintained a close distance with her – stopping the vehicle whenever she would stop walking. The driver then sexually propositioned the victim; she subsequently ran into her residence and the SUV sped away.
On December 12, 2024, the Lakewood Police Department received another report of a male driving a black SUV, who attempted to lure a 15 year-old female victim into his vehicle in the area of Warren Avenue. Responding Officers discovered that as the victim was walking on Warren Street, a black SUV began driving slowly next to her. The driver of the vehicle rolled down the passenger’s side window and sexually propositioned the victim, who then ran from the scene.
On January 5, 2025, Lakewood Township Police again received a report concerning a male operating a black SUV and following a 17 year-old female victim in the area of Cushman Street. An investigation revealed that as the victim was walking on Cushman Street, the driver of the SUV twice made sexual comments to her before speeding away.
Continuing investigation revealed that Marto was the individual responsible for the aforementioned incidents. On February 20, 2025, Marto was taken into custody without incident at his residence by Detectives from the Lakewood Township Police Department, Little Egg Harbor Township Police Department, and Tuckerton Police Department. 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, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Lakewood Township Police Department, Little Egg Harbor Township Police Department, Tuckerton Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, for their combined and collective assistance in connection with this investigation.