April 5, 2000

ALLEGED FLASHER INDICTED ON 32 COUNTS 

      TRENTON – A city man was indicted today on charges that he sexually assaulted 15 young girls, ranging in age from 8 to 14 years old, by exposing himself to them primarily when they were walking to or from city schools, Mercer County Prosecutor Daniel G. Giaquinto announced.

      Howard Jones (DOB 3/4/66), of the first block of Burton Avenue, was charged in a 32-count indictment. Assistant Prosecutor Robin Scheiner presented the case to the grand jury.

      Jones allegedly exposed himself to the victims then masturbated. Jones remained inside a car with the vehicle windows rolled down so the victims could see him. It is believed that Jones used three different red or burgundy colored vehicles and that he would sometimes follow the girls in the car. The schools near where the majority of the incidents occurred included Arthur J. Holland Middle School, P.J. Hill School, Jefferson School, Stokes Elementary School, and the Joyce Kilmer School.

      Jones was indicted on 15 counts of second-degree sexual assault, 16 counts of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact. If convicted of the second-degree offenses, Jones faces a possible 10 year prison term for each charge.

      The alleged incidents occurred Sept. 30, 1998, Oct. 10, 1998, Oct. 26, 1998 and Jan. 2, 1999.

      According to the indictment, two girls, aged 10 and 8, were victimized on Sept. 30; five girls aged 8, 9, 9, 11, 13 and were the victims on Oct. 10; eight girls aged 9, 9, 10, 11, 11, 11, 11, and 12 were the victims on Oct. 26; and a 14-year-old girl was the victim on Jan. 2. One victim, who was 9, was victimized both on Sept. 30 and again on Oct. 10.

      Despite having been indicted, every defendant is presumed innocent unless found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.