NORTH PLAINFIELD BOROUGH, NJ (Somerset County) – A union County man has been charged with sexually assaulting two kids in a bathroom of a church in North Plainfield Borough, according to Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald.
Pierre Joseph, 68, of Plainfield was charged with two counts of second-degree sexual assault, and two counts of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, McDonald said.
On Sunday, June 23, at around 4:38 p.m., police responded to a 9-1-1 call reporting a possible sexual assault of a minor at a local church that occurred earlier that day. Upon arrival at the church, officers were told the suspect, who was identified as Joseph, had been detained at the church until their arrival. Officers then transported him to the North Plainfield Police Department for questioning, McDonald said.
Detectives from the North Plainfield Police Department notified the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victim’s Unit of the report of a possible sexual assault of a minor. Arrangements were made to interview the 7-year-old male victim at the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Child Advocacy Center, McDonald said.
The 7-year-old male victim disclosed that a church member followed him into the bathroom, pulled down his pants and underwear and touched him. The 7-year-old reported this incident to another individual who reported it to the pastor at the church, McDonald said.
During this investigation, it was determined that a 9-year-old male victim had disclosed a similar incident involving the same individual which occurred in January or February 2024.
The 9-year-old male was interviewed on June 23 at the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Child Advocacy Center by detectives from the Special Victim’s Unit. The 9-year-old disclosed to the detective that he was touched on his private parts in the bathroom at the church.
As a result of this investigation, on Sunday, June 23, Joseph was charged and then lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing, McDonald said.
Anyone with information relating to the sexual assaults to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Special Victim’s Unit at 908-231-7100 or the North Plainfield Police Department at 908-769-2900 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports, and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.
