A Howell man arrested two weeks ago for masturbating in front of an eight-year-old in a bathroom at the McDonald's on Route 35 in Wall Township, may have been committing similar lewd acts over the past two years, according to Monmouth County Prosecutors. 

Gregory Rittman/Photo courtesy of the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office
Gregory Rittman/Photo courtesy of the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office
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49-year-old Gregory S. Rittman is facing twelve new charges after additional victims were identified announced Acting Prosecutor Christopher J. Grammicioni.

Rittman initially was arrested on Oct. 24, after authorities received a call from a McDonald's employee describing the lewd behavior witnessed by the juvenile, near the sink in the men's bathroom.

Ritttman was charged with one count each of second degree Sexual Assault, third degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child, fourth degree Lewdness and a disorderly persons charge of Harassment. He was released after posting $73,000 bail with no 10-percent option.

Rittman was taken into custody again Friday and is facing 12 additional charges after an investigation by Wall Township Police and the Prosecutor's Office which identified three additional victims.

In addition to the initial charges, Rittman now faces three counts each of second degree Sexual Assault, third degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child, fourth degree Lewdness and disorderly persons charges of Harassment.

The three additional victims were identified after a press release was issued describing his crime and included a picture of Rittman and a call for anyone who may have had contact with him to come forward. The additional victims came forward to describe incidents of victims ranging in age from 6-8 years old observing Rittman committing lewd acts in public restrooms during the last year.

“It is important for parents and guardians of small children to take a look at the picture of this defendant. We believe there are additional victims out there and we urge everyone to come forward with any information about this case,” said Wall Township Police Chief Robert L. Brice.

Authorities believe Rittman has been performing lewd acts in front of children for about two years at locations in Monmouth and Ocean counties.

He was being held in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution, Freehold Township,
on $609,000 bail with no option to post 10 percent.

Anyone with any information regarding this case is urged to contact Patrolman James Cadigan, of the Wall Township Police Department, at 732-449-4500 ext. 1162 or Detective Carolina Moreno, of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Bureau, at 732-431-7160.

If convicted of Sexual Assault, Rittman would face a minimum sentence of up to 10 years in a New Jersey state prison on each of the second degree charges, subject to the provisions of the "No Early Release Act" (NERA) requiring him to serve 85 percent of the sentence imposed before becoming eligible for release on parole. He also would be subject to the provisions of Megan’s Law following his release from state prison. If convicted of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, he would face a sentence of five to ten years in prison. If convicted of Lewdness, Rittman would face up to 18 months in state prison on each count.

 

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