Man allegedly gave gifts to Burlington County teenagers in exchange for nude photos and videos

A North Jersey man has been charged with giving gifts to a Burlington County teenager in exchange for nude photos and videos of the boy, authorities said Friday.

Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw and Cinnaminson Township Police Chief William Obuchowski announced that Sebastian Romero, 27, of Somerset, was arrested on August 2 when police officers executed a search warrant at his residence.

Romero was charged with producing child sexual abuse material, aggravated sexual coercion, seduction and similar offenses, Bradshaw said. Romero was denied release during a detention hearing Friday in Superior Court in Mount Holly and was being held in the Burlington County Jail.

Bradshaw said the investigation began last month after the juvenile’s family contacted the Cinnaminson Township Police Department. Law enforcement discovered that Romero had allegedly contacted the minor in a chat room on an online gaming platform.

Investigators alleged that Romero knew the minor’s age and obtained personal information about her before offering her electronic gift cards in exchange for nude photos and videos.

Bradshaw said Romero allegedly arranged to meet the juvenile for a sexual act and, after the boy failed to show up, began making threats toward the minor’s family.