Owner of ‘Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More’ arrested for child sexual assault
The owner of Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More in Howell has been arrested on charges of sexual assault after allegedly inappropriately touching a customer who is a minor, according to Monmouth County Prosecutor Chris Gramiccioni.
Brian Young, 52, was placed on handcuffs on Friday at the store he owns in the Howell Center Shopping Plaza on Route 9 in the township.
Young has been charged with second degree Sexual Assault and third degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
The allegations stem from an investigation that began after Howell Police received a report that the victim, who is a minor, was inappropriately touched by Young while inside his business.
The case is a joint investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and the Howell Township Police Department.
Investigators are seeking additional information about Young’s activities and are looking to identify other possible victims.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Thomas Manzo Jr. at 800-533-7443 or Howell Township Police Department Detective Robert Ortenzi at 732-938-4111.
If convicted of second degree Sexual Assault, Young faces a maximum of 10 years in a New Jersey state prison, subject to the No Early Release Act (NERA), which requires the defendant to serve 85% of the sentence before he is eligible for release.
If convicted of third degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Young faces a maximum of 5 years of incarceration.
Should Young be convicted of either crime, he will be subject to the provisions of Megan’s Law and to Parole Supervision for Life.
Young remains incarcerated at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution, pending his first appearance in court.
The case has been assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Danielle Zanzuccki.
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