MANTUA TWP., N.J. (WPVI) — Charges have been upgraded against a husband and wife arrested in connection with a child sexual assault investigation in Mantua Township, New Jersey.
Michael Brown, 46, and his wife, Valerie Brown, 44, were taken into custody in December after the victim reported the alleged assaults to police.
Investigators say the abuse occurred between 2018 and 2020, beginning when the victim was 13 years old.
On Wednesday, police revealed that the victim was a student from the Harrison Sparks cheerleading squad, for which Valerie Brown served as coach and president during the period in question.
Police say Michael Brown is accused of sexually assaulting the teen girl on more than 10 occasions between 2018 and 2020.
Court documents allege the assaults started as touching and escalated. Authorities say Michael Brown would pick up the victim from school and take her to a hotel, where the assaults occurred. The victim said the abuse happened at that motel and in areas of Mantua and Woodbury.
According to the criminal complaint, Valerie Brown was aware that her husband was bringing the victim to the motel.
Police say Michael Brown is now being charged with first-degree aggravated sexual assault, endangering the welfare of a child, sexual assault and criminal sexual contact.
Valerie Brown is being charged with third-degree endangering the welfare of a child and hindering apprehension or prosecution.
Police said the upgraded charges were the result of executed search warrants on the couple’s mobile phones.
Anyone with information or who believes they may be a victim is urged to contact Detective Corporal Jeff Krieger at jkrieger@mantuatownship.com.
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