Jersey shore lifeguard charged in undercover child luring investigation

Updated 2 hours ago
CHERRY HILL, N.J. (WPVI) -- A South Jersey lifeguard has been charged after authorities said he attempted to lure a person he believed to be an underage girl.

Stephen Pagnoni, 38, of Egg Harbor Township, was arrested Tuesday at a park in Cherry Hill.

According to the investigators, Pagnoni believed he was meeting a 15-year-old girl for sex in exchange for money.



Authorities said the person he had been communicating with was actually an undercover detective with the Camden County Prosecutor's Office.



Officials said Pagnoni had worked as a lifeguard with the Atlantic City Beach Patrol for 20 years.

Officials said he has been suspended.

Pagnoni faces multiple charges, including attempted manufacturing of child sexual abuse material, attempting to lure a child, attempted sexual assault of a minor, attempted prostitution with a minor, attempted sending obscene material to a minor, and other related offenses.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Sgt. John Cochran of the Camden County Prosecutor's Office High Tech Crimes Unit at 856-225-8826.
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