PENNSYLVANNIA MAN CHARGED IN AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ASSAULT CASE OFF DUTY TRPD SERGEANT SPOTS DEFENDANT’S CAR LEADING TO HIS ARREST
Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato, Toms River Township Police Chief Mitch Little and Lakewood Police Chief Robert Lawson, in a great cooperative effort by the three agencies, announced the arrest of Robert Clayton, 35, of Pittsburgh, PA, charging him with Aggravated Sexual Assault, Sexual Assault, Luring, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
The arrest on Thursday (5/5/16) by Ocean County Prosecutor’s Special Victims Unit Det. Stephanie Bayha and Toms River PD Special Victims Unit Det. Jennifer Grob stems from their investigation into the alleged victimization of an 11 year old female. The partnering detectives, with assistance from OCPO Major Crimes Det. John Murphy, Lakewood PD Det. Lynn Miller and OCPO High Tech Crimes Unit Det. John Dotto, alleges that after the victim met the defendant via social media, Clayton drove to the victim’s residence on Saturday (5/1/16), picked her up and took her to an Ocean County hotel.
On Tuesday (5/3/16), the investigation led to information that the victim was sexually assaulted by Clayton while at the hotel. The victim was unable to identify the hotel, but was able to provide details about the defendant’s appearance, the vehicle he was driving and information about his social media accounts. A canvas of local hotels led to the identity of the hotel where the alleged assault took place. Sgt. David Deleeuw and Det. Matthew Scutti of the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department CSI Unit responded and processed the crime scene.
In addition, it was learned that Clayton had recently pawned various items, including a cellular telephone. OCPO Sgt. Michael Cecchini was contacted and assisted with the recovery of said items. Further, Lt. Steven Allaire of the Lakewood Police Department obtained information from the NJSP ROIC which identified the defendant’s vehicle. On Thursday (5/5/16), at approximately 12 pm, off duty Sgt. Steven Austin of the Toms River Police Department located the defendant’s vehicle at the Wawa located on Rt. 9 in Toms River, contacted patrol units and Clayton was detained for transport to Toms River Police Department as part of the continuing investigation. The defendant’s vehicle was seized to be processed at a later date. It was at this time Clayton was charged for the above offenses.
Ocean County Superior Court Judge Melanie Donohue Appleby set bail at $375,000 no 10% and ordered the defendant to have no contact with the victim as per a Nicole’s Law. The media and public are reminded that criminal charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
ROBERT DAVID CLAYTON
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