A resident of Jackson is facing a prison term of up to 50 years following his conviction for crimes including endangering the welfare of a child, sexual assault and criminal sexual contact.
Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey announced on Nov. 15 that
Christopher Tarver, 45, of Jackson, was found guilty by a jury on 20 criminal counts. He is a former recreation director in Dunellen and the former men’s basketball coach at Middlesex County College, Edison.
Tarver was found guilty of eight counts of endangering the welfare of a child, one count of engaging in a pattern of official misconduct, one count of sexual assault, five counts of criminal sexual contact, four counts of official misconduct and one count of endangering the welfare of a child by possessing child pornography, Carey said.
“Frequently, child sexual predators actively seek out positions which
allow them access to children, such as coaching. In some cases, sexual
predators may change positions frequently to avoid detection. In order to
stop such horrific sexual abuse, it is extremely important that background
checks be conducted and detailed questions be asked of prior employers
anytime someone is applying for a job which requires interaction with
children,” Carey said.
Tarver will face a prison term of up to 50 years when he is sentenced in New Brunswick on March 9 by state Superior Court Judge Colleen Flynn.
During a five-week trial that began on Oct. 10, Middlesex County Assistant Prosecutor Brian Shevlin presented evidence and testimony showing that on various dates between June 1, 2010 and Dec. 31, 2011, when Tarver was a coach and recreation director, he engaged in multiple sexual acts with a child in Edison, Dunellen and Atlantic City, according to the prosecutor.
Tarver was found to be in possession of child pornography in Jackson on April 8, 2014 during the execution of a search warrant.
During the two years when the crimes were committed, Tarver had
supervisory power and the legal duty or responsibility for the care of the
victim who was under 18 years of age, Carey said.
Tarver still faces criminal charges in cases involving three other child
victims for sexual assault, endangering the welfare of a child and official
misconduct.
The investigation began after one of the victims, now an adult, notified authorities. That victim was a member of the Monmouth Power Sports Club, a travel basketball team affiliated with the AAU. Tarver had been the coach and executive director of the team since 1995.
Tarver began working as the Dunellen recreation director in 2004. He was suspended from that position soon after he was arrested in 2014, according to the prosecutor.
Tarver was employed as a men’s basketball coach at Middlesex County College from Oct. 21, 2006 to March 5, 2014. He was named the college’s head basketball coach on June 24, 2010.
