Raritan NJ
6-12-2025 4:17pm

Burlington County Man Charged with Attempting to Arrange to Have Sex with 12-Year-Old Girl

TRENTON – Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) announced today that a Burlington County, New Jersey, man has been charged with conspiracy to commit human trafficking and other crimes for allegedly trying to arrange to sexually assault what he believed to be a 12-year-old girl.

Robert R. Lockwood, 36, of Browns Mills, New Jersey, is charged by complaint with conspiracy to commit human trafficking of a minor (1st degree), attempted aggravated sexual assault, luring, and attempted endangering the welfare of a child (all 2nd degree crimes).

“The charges outlined in this complaint describe an attempt to sexually assault and traffic a child,” said Attorney General Platkin. “My office is working constantly to intercept and charge defendants like this and protect children from these heinous crimes. We are grateful for the work of our law enforcement officers and prosecutors who do the incredibly difficult work of investigating these kinds of cases at great personal cost to keep New Jersey’s children from harm.”

“Anyone who tries to harm a child has to know that we will always be out there working to stop them and will then vigorously prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law,” said DCJ Director Theresa L. Hilton.

“There are few crimes more disturbing than those that target the innocence of a child. The charges, in this case, represent the darkest and most depraved side of human trafficking — one that preys on the vulnerable and leaves lifelong scars,” said Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “Human trafficking is not just a distant or hidden issue — it is a pervasive and horrific crime that reaches into communities across our nation, robbing individuals of their freedom, dignity, and humanity. It operates in silence and secrecy, and it is our responsibility to confront it head-on with urgency and determination.”

According to the criminal complaint, on April 7, 2025, a law enforcement officer acting as a mother with a 12-year-old daughter was contacted on a mobile dating application by a user, and they began exchanging text messages. During the conversation the suspect, Lockwood, allegedly indicated he was into taboo sex, specifically stating, “Daddy daughter is my favorite. Uncle niece fun too.” The undercover officer told the user her daughter was 12 years old. The user requested photos of the daughter.

From April 7, 2025, to May 5, 2025, the user repeatedly asked to meet with the undercover mother and daughter and stated that he allegedly wanted to engage in acts that constitute sexual assault with the child. The user allegedly sent photos of himself and was then identified as Lockwood. He allegedly arranged to meet at a hotel in Westampton Township to engage in sexual activity while the mother watched.

On May 14, 2025, Lockwood allegedly communicated with the undercover officer and arrived at the location, where he was arrested and taken into custody.

The prosecution is being handled by DCJ Deputy Attorney General Rob Guarni under the supervision of Deputy Attorneys General Lisa Rastelli and Laura Magnone, as well as DCJ Deputy Director Jillian Carpenter.

First-degree crimes carry a sentence of 10 to 20 years in state prison and a fine of up to $200,000.

Second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000

The charges and allegations contained in the complaints are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Defense counsel:

Jeremy Lackey Esq., Cherry Hill, New Jersey

More News from Raritan
I'm interested
I disagree with this
This is unverified
Spam
Offensive