Jake Hessels (Photo: Ocean County Jail)
A Neptune City man traveled to Manchester Township in April and sexually assaulted a minor he met through Snapchat, authorities said.
Jake Hessels, 24, was charged June 2 with aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, possession of child sexual abuse material, endangering the welfare of a child and promoting obscene material, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced in a press release issued Wednesday.
According to the prosecutor’s office, Hessels contacted the underage female victim in Manchester Township via Snapchat on April 6. After exchanging sexually explicit photographs, he traveled to the township, met the victim and engaged in sexual activity, authorities said. Hessels was taken into custody June 2 by detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit at Manchester Township Police Headquarters. He was transported to the Ocean County Jail.
On June 10, Superior Court Judge Wendel E. Daniels ordered Hessels to remain detained pending trial. Further investigation revealed Hessels used Snapchat, TikTok and Instagram to communicate with minor victims starting in fall 2025, authorities said. Evidence recovered from his electronic devices suggests there may be additional victims, according to Billhimer.
“Based upon evidence recovered from Hessels’ electronic devices, we believe there may be additional victims who have not yet come forward,” the prosecutor stated. “Anyone with information concerning this defendant’s illicit conduct is urged to contact the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit at 732-506-5323.”
The investigation was conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and the Manchester Township Police Department.
Police, Fire & Courts
Cops: Local Man, 24, Traveled to Manchester For Encounter With Minor
