Registered sex offender followed woman and their daughters around Howell stores

A Whiting man is charged with eight counts of harassment in Howell after police say he allegedly followed women and their daughters, some as young as 8-years old, around stores in the township while making sexually suggestive, explicit and vulgar comments in their presence.David F. Hohsfield, 62, of Columbus Avenue is a Tier 3 registered sex offender according to the New Jersey State Police Sex Offender Internet Registry.

Following his arrest earlier today he is being charged with one count of harassment per victim which are fourth degree crimes due to his status as a parolee.

In one of the incidents which took place May 4 at the Target in Howell, police say Hohsfield followed a mother and her 12-yead old daughter around the store and into the children's swimsuit section.

All the while he was making sexually explicit comments while pretending to talk to someone else on his Bluetooth cell phone earpiece.

The girl told her mother who told security but by that point, Hohsfield booked it.

More women started coming forward after this incident became public on social media.

Another female victim reported a similar incident occurring at the TJMaxx store located in the adjoining shopping plaza as Target, also on May 4.

She was accompanied by her 11-year-old daughter who heard Hohsfield making sexually explicit and vulgar comments in the same manner he did in other incidents.

Two more incidents occurred on May 7 at WalMart and Target in Howell.

In those cases the two females and their 12 and 8 year old daughters, who were at separate locations and don't know each other, were followed around the stores while Hohsfield engaged in similar conduct.

Hohsfield was transferred to the Monmouth County Correctional Institute.

Howell Police and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office have teamed up to find more victims who have not reported the incident to police and are asking they come forward by contacting Detective Sergeant Christian Antunez #243 at cantunez@howellpolice.org, Det. Janet Benitez #627 at jbenitez@howellpolice.org or by calling Howell Police headquarters at (732)938-4111.

Individuals who feel the need to remain anonymous, but who may have information relevant to this investigation can contact Monmouth County Crime Stoppers confidential telephone tip-line by calling 1-800-671-4400; can text "MONMOUTH” plus their tip to 274637; or, they can email a tip via the website at www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com.

Monmouth County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest or conviction of criminals and fugitives.

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