A former Ocean City lifeguard was indicted Tuesday on charges that he sexually assaulted a minor, according to a news release from the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office.
Jonathan C. Howell, 41, of Marmora, who is a former member of the Ocean City Beach Patrol, was indicted on charges of aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, official misconduct and endangering the welfare of a child.
According to Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland, in April of 2021 the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office was notified of a social media post that made numerous allegations against the Ocean City Beach Patrol.
Since that time, the Prosecutor’s Office has conducted a thorough investigation into the allegations.
On June 2, 2022, Howell was charged with the crimes by members of the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims after a search warrant was executed at his residence.
Howell was taken into custody without incident by members of the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and Cape May County Sheriff’s Office.
If convicted on all counts, Howell could face decades in state prison.
Howell was also employed as a teacher in the Pleasantville school district, the Prosecutor’s Office said when he was arrested last June.
This is an ongoing investigation and anyone who may have additional information relating to the investigation is urged to contact the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-465-1135.
Tips may also be made anonymously through the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office Anonymous TIP System by visiting cmcpo.tips.
Information can also be reported to the Cape May County Sheriff’s Tip Line at cmcsheriff.net and click on anonymous tip, or through the Cape May County Crime Stoppers at 609-889-359
