Budd Lake man charged in sex abuse, filming of boy, 11

A 30-year-old Budd Lake man, who was arrested last year in a round-up of people suspected of possessing and distributing child pornography, has been charged with sexually abusing and filming an 11-year-old while babysitting the boy.

James D. Engle, who turned 30 this past week, was charged Tuesday by a state trooper with sexually assaulting and filming the boy in Budd Lake on Jan. 9, 2013, according to a criminal complaint filed in Superior Court, Morristown.

In February 2013, Engle was among 24 men and one male juvenile charged with possessing and/or distributing child pornography, as part of the New Jersey Crimes Against Children Task Force's "Operation Ever Vigilant."

The state Attorney General's Office had alleged in 2013 that the men had video files that depicted pre-pubescent boys and girls being molested and engaging in sex acts.

This week, Engle was charged with fondling an 11-year-old boy and with filming and photographing the naked boy as he was being molested. A call to State Police is pending.

Engle was lodged in the Morris County jail in lieu of $100,000 bail.

Staff Writer Peggy Wright: 973-267-1142; pwright@njpressmedia.com