NJ college dean, former youth sports coach to remain in jail in child sex assault case

PLEASANTVILLE, N.J. (WPVI) -- A former South Jersey youth sports coach and recently appointed college dean accused of sexually assaulting a boy appeared in court Wednesday.

During a detention hearing, Superior Court Judge W. Todd Miller ordered that James Hadley, 65, of Barnegat, remain in jail pending trial.

Hadley has been charged with multiple offenses, including second-degree luring a minor to commit a sexual act, third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and fourth-degree criminal sexual contact based on at least three incidents this month.

Officials say Hadley met the victim through a social media app called Zangi. According to court documents, detectives uncovered text messages showing Hadley and the boy met on more than one occasion.

Prosecutors allege Hadley was arrested last Friday after traveling from Ocean County to Pleasantville to meet a juvenile for a sexual encounter.

Hadley previously worked as a youth basketball coach in Ocean County and had recently been appointed a dean at Ocean County College.

He is due back in court on April 24.