Lakewood man accused of molesting preteen

A Lakewood man awaits court proceedings for allegedly having inappropriate contact with a preteen girl repeatedly in a span of several years.

Antonio Aguilar, 41, is charged with aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child, according to the office of Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato.

Aguilar was apprehended Tuesday by county Special Victims Unit Detective Stephanie Bayha and Lakewood PD Detective Steve Kelusak and Officer Eduardo Vega.

In Toms River, Ocean County Superior Court Judge Rochelle Gizinski ordered Aguilar placed in the county jail, and set bail at $250,000, with no option for release on payment of 10 percent.

Aguilar was ordered to avoid contact with the alleged victim, under terms of Nicole's law.

Authorities said that the 11-year-old confided in her teacher about the alleged incidents, which then came to the attention of investigators.

Caseworker Juan Berrera of the New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency took part along with Ocean County Sheriff's Detective Mike Senger and Sergeant Jason Steele of the Prosecutor's office.