September 7, 2007: Chatham Township Police Chief Elizabeth Goeckel, Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq., and Acting Chief of Investigations Joseph A. Cannatella announce the arrest of Chatham Township resident Michael Donofrio, age 47, on charges of second degree Luring, second degree Attempted Sexual Assault, third degree Attempted Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and third degree Attempted Promoting Obscene Material.

The charges were initiated by information obtained from the "Perverted Justice" organization and are the result of an extensive collaborative investigation by the Chatham Township Police Department and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes Unit.

On or about July 20, 2007, Detective Daniel Papa was notified that the accused, a coach of the Chatham Little League, had been profiled on a website for "Perverted Justice" as a person who had sexual conversations with a person purporting to be a 13 year old female. The "Perverted Justice" investigation was initiated as part of the NBC show "Dateline: To Catch A Predator." Detective Papa and Detective Thomas Miller of the Chatham Township Police Department viewed the website which showed a transcript of the on-line "chats" that allegedly occurred between the accused and a person representing themselves as a 13 year old female. The chats, which occurred between March and April of 2007, included extensive and graphic sexual conversations and commentary initiated by the accused. The accused made plans to meet with the alleged 13 year old to engage in sex, but ultimately did not show for the meeting.

Extensive investigation continued with the assistance of Detective/Supervisor Matthew Potter and Detective Christopher Vanadia of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office.

Chatham Township Police Chief Elizabeth Goeckel said of the arrest "This is a good example of how citizen cooperation and intensive investigative work results in the arrest of a potentially dangerous suspect."

Prosecutor Bianchi commented "The professionalism shown by Chatham Township and the detectives from this office is to be complimented and evidences the commitment of our mutual department's mission to ensure the safety and well being of our children."

Judge Salem Vincent Ahto set the defendant’s bail at $50,000.00 no 10% cash/bond/property. The defendant is to have no unsupervised contact with children under the age of 16 excluding his children. The defendant is to have no internet access for any purpose.

The investigation remains open and anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Morris County Prosecutor's Office at 973-285-6200 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-COP-CALL.

Despite these pending charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt following a jury trial at which the defendant has all of his rights guaranteed by the U.S. and New Jersey Constitutions and relevant state law.

Media Contact: Agent Robyn D'Onofrio
(973) 285-6222