Church Deacon in Mt. Holly, NJ, Had Sex With Young Girl: Prosecutor

A church deacon in Burlington County is facing a list of charges in connection with allegedly having sex with a young girl.

44-year-old Shawn R. Tracey of Mount Holly, who is a deacon at Burlington Seventh-day Adventist Church in Burlington City, was taken into custody this past Tuesday.

On Thursday, he was charged with the following:

• 10 counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault
• 13 counts of second-degree debauching the morals of a child
• 2 counts of second-degree sexual assault
• 1 count of third-degree showing obscene material to a minor

Details of the Investigation

The Burlington County Prosecutor's Office says an investigation began earlier this week after state authorities were notified of potential sexual abuse committed by Tracey against the victim, who is under the age of 13. The investigation "revealed that the sexual abuse occurred over a two-year period at multiple locations in Burlington County."

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Additional details are being withheld to protect the identity of the victim. The criminal complaint was sealed by a Superior Court judge.

Tracey is being held in the Burlington County Jail pending a detention hearing.

Call for Additional Information

Anyone who has reason to believe Tracey may have had sexual contact with other children is asked to call the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office at (609) 265-5035 or email tips@co.burlington.nj.us.

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The investigation was conducted by investigators with the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office's Special Victims Unit with assistance from the Mount Holly Township Police Department.

The public is reminded that charges are accusations and all persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.