SOUTH TOMS RIVER – A long-time official in the borough, William Gleason, was charged with sexually assaulting a minor.
His charges include aggravated sexual assault of a victim younger than 13, sexual assault of a victim more than four years younger than him, aggravated sexual assault of a youth older than 13 but younger than 16, aggravated criminal sexual contact, and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, according to the Ocean County Corrections website.
The date of arrest was November 25.
Gleason has decades of experience in community service, at various times being on the Sewerage Authority, Recreation Commission, the South Toms River Optimist Club, and more. He was formerly a member of the Borough Council.
Borough Attorney Chris Dasti said that Gleason would be “immediately removed from all appointed positions,” including the recreation commission, which organizes events for children.
South Toms River Police did not return a call asking for information about this case. The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office said in an email “Due to the nature of the offense and the age of the victim, as a normal course of business, we do not release any information about the investigation.”
He is being held without bail until his detention hearing on Thursday.
Charges are merely accusations until proven in a court of law.
