Pittsburgh man charged with preteen sex abuse in Ocean County

A Pittsburgh man who allegedly came to Ocean County to sexually abuse an 11-year-old girl he met on line is arrested in Toms River.

Robert David Clayton, 35, was apprehended May 5 at a Route 9 Wawa in Toms River by off-duty township PD Sergeant Steven Austin and patrol units.

He is charged with aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, luring and endangering the welfare of a child, according to the office of County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato.

Additionally, Clayton was ordered to refrain from contact with the alleged victim, under terms of Nicole's Law.

Clayton was placed in the Ocean County Jail in Toms River, with bail set at a full $375,000. Toms River and Lakewood police took part in the probe along with county investigators.

He allegedly took the girl, who became acquainted through social media, to a hotel after driving to her house May 1.

Information indicating a possible sexual assault surfaced Tuesday, authorities said. The preteen offered details about Clayton's appearance, car, and social media accounts, but could not identify the hotel, authorities said.

Detectives zeroed in on the venue after canvassing hotels throughout the area. They also drew up information on a cell phone and other items that Clayton was believed to have pawned.

Using details about the car that Lakewood police culled from the New Jersey State Police database, Austin spotted it in the Wawa lot May 5.