Man acquitted of sexually abusing girl in Mount Arlington

A Morris County jury that deliberated over a two-day period acquitted a former Mount Arlington resident Thursday of sexually abusing and showing pornography to a girl when she was between the ages of seven and nine.

The jury found Joel Adams, now 30 and living in Hunterdon County, not guilty of nine counts that included aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, sexual contact and endangering the welfare of a child.  Adams wept as the verdict was read, while the alleged victim, who is now a teenager, began sobbing and was comforted by relatives and members of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office.

"I'm extremely pleased this nightmare for Joel is finally over.  I just believe from day one there was reasonable doubt as to his guilt," said defense lawyer Michael Pappa.

Both the alleged victim and Adams testified during  the trial that spanned three weeks before state Superior Court Judge Salem Vincent Ahto.  A former friend of the family, he had been accused of molesting the girl over a 30-month period between the end of 2004 and mid-2007 when she was between the ages of seven and nine or 10.

The girl confided in a friend about alleged abuse from Adams, but police weren't informed until the girl told her mother in 2011.

Now that Adams has been acquitted, Pappa said he expects to work to get the arrest record expunged.

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