New Jersey man charged with sexually abusing two children in church bathroom

A Plainfield man has been charged with sexually abusing two children in separate incidents at a North Plainfield church, Somerset County District Attorney John P. McDonald announced Friday.

Pierre Joseph, 68, is being held in the Somerset County Jail on two counts of sexual abuse of a minor and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Pierre was arrested June 23 after a 7-year-old boy claimed Pierre followed him into the bathroom, pulled down his pants and underwear and touched him, prosecutors said. Prosecutors would not reveal the identity of the church.

North Plainfield police were called to the church at about 4:38 p.m. that day after the boy reported the alleged assault to another adult, who then told the pastor. Joseph was detained at the church, and North Plainfield police called the Somerset County Special Victims Unit to interview the boy, authorities said.

During the investigation, it was learned that a 9-year-old boy claimed he was the victim of a “similar incident” involving Joseph that occurred at the church in January or February 2024, prosecutors said. Special Victims Unit investigators interviewed the 9-year-old late on June 23, and Pierre was arrested and charged with two counts of sexual assault and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, prosecutors said.

Joseph was described by prosecutors as a “parishioner” of the church. He remains behind bars while he awaits his detention hearing.

The District Attorney’s Office is asking anyone with information about the alleged sexual assault to contact the Somerset County District Attorney’s Office Special Victims Unit at 908-231-7100 or the North Plainfield Police Department at 908-769-2900.

There is also an app, the STOPit app, which allows citizens to anonymously Reports including videos and photos. The access code for STOPit is SOMERSETNJ. Information can also be left on the Somerset County CrimeStoppers hotline at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477).

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Richard Cowen can be reached at [email protected].