Red Bank man charged with multiple ‘upskirts’ involving minors

January 18, 2023

FREEHOLD, New Jersey (MONMUT). A local man charged late last year with taking pictures of two women “upskirt” at a Shrewsbury area supermarket has been re-arrested and charged with numerous similar additional offenses, including eight victims believed to be minors. . Monmouth County Attorney Raymond S. Santiago made the announcement on Tuesday.

Christopher W. Cox, 33, of Red Bank, is charged with eight counts in the second degree of endangering a child’s welfare, nine counts in the third degree of possession of child sexual abuse material, nine counts of invasion of privacy in the third degree, two points of accusation. counts of criminal sexual contact in the fourth degree and a single count of possession of a high-capacity magazine in the fourth degree.

An investigation involving members of the MCPO’s Special Victims Bureau and the Shrewsbury Area Police Department revealed the following facts:

Shortly before 4:00 pm on Thursday 20 October 2022, a man, later identified as Cox, was seen entering the ShopRite of Shrewsbury store on Shrewsbury Avenue, and shortly after, he began stalking female shoppers throughout the store using his mobile phone in a way to show that he was secretly photographing them from behind. Cox was then seen leaving the store and leaving the area in a white Dodge Durango.

About a week later, shortly after 9 a.m. on Thursday, October 27, 2022, Cox was pulled over at Newman Springs Road in Red Bank. Initially obeying the officer’s order to get out of the car, Cox then quickly got back into the SUV and sped away from the scene, with the officer loosening his grip to avoid being carried away by the car. Soon after, Cox was discovered at Little Silver and taken into custody without incident.

The investigation eventually led to the seizure of the aforementioned high-capacity gun store and numerous digital video files in Cox’s possession, most of which depict girls and women being secretly filmed from below using a mobile phone placed in a grocery cart, duffel bag, or other means. transportation. The incidents occurred at the following times and locations:

• Shortly before 4:00 PM on Wednesday, November 10, 2021 at ShopRite Wines & Spirits on South Avenue East in Westfield, Union County;
• Shortly before 6:15 pm on Wednesday, November 10, 2021 at ShopRite Supermarket on West Grand Street in Elizabeth (Union County);
• Shortly before 13:15 on Monday, May 30, 2022 at ShopRite of Shrewsbury;
• Shortly before 4:00 PM Friday, July 1, 2022 at an unspecified Walmart;
• Shortly after 12:30 pm on Monday, July 4, 2022 at the ShopRite supermarket at the intersection of routes 36 and 71 in West Long Branch;
• Shortly after 2:45 pm on Monday, July 4, 2022 at an unspecified Foodtown supermarket;
• Shortly before 1:45 pm on Saturday, September 10, 2022 at Whole Foods on Highway 35 in Middletown; and
• Just before 13:45 on Sunday, September 18, 2022 at ShopRite of Shrewsbury.

The investigation also determined that Cox had recently worked as a plumber. The criminal sex charges against him stem from incidents that took place on Friday, November 11, 2022 and Monday, January 2, 2023, when he secretly filmed himself rubbing his pelvis against clients while in their houses, in one case exposing himself and committing an obscene act.

The case was assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Attorney Ryan Lavender of the Special Victims Bureau. Cox is represented by Christian Fleming, Esq., based in East Brunswick.

Cox was last arrested during a traffic stop in the Shrewsbury area on Thursday 12 January. A hearing in the case has been tentatively scheduled for Thursday, January 19. The state has filed a motion to retain Cox as the case against him continues.

“The alleged behavior and frequency of incidents related to the allegations announced today are a source of concern and alarm in equal measure,” prosecutor Santiago said. “We call on anyone who believes they may have been Mr. Cox’s victim to come forward and tell us everything they know.”

A recent photo of Cox is published alongside this press release. Anyone with information on this matter is strongly advised to contact Detective MCPO Sgt. Sean Murphy, tel. 800-533-7443, or Shrewsbury County Police Department Detective Daniel DeCristofaro, tel. 732-741-2500, ext. 230.

Anyone who feels the need to remain anonymous but has information about this or any other crime may file a report with the Monmouth County Crime Squad by calling their confidential telephone line at 1-800-671-4400; by downloading and using the free P3 Tips mobile app (available for iOS and Android by calling 800-671-4400 or visiting www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com).

Second-degree criminal convictions are punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Notwithstanding these charges, each defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond reasonable doubt after a trial in which the defendant has all the rights to a trial guaranteed by the US Constitution and state law.

Christopher W. Cox, 33, of Red Bank, is charged with eight counts in the second degree of endangering a child’s welfare, nine counts in the third degree of possession of child sexual abuse material, nine counts of invasion of privacy in the third degree, two points of accusation. counts of criminal sexual contact in the fourth degree and a single count of possession of a high-capacity magazine in the fourth degree.