The man used the app Kik, which allows people to chat with strangers.
Bryan Sanderson, 24, of Middletown. (Courtesy of the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office)FREEHOLD -- A 24-year-old Middletown man was arrested last month on charges he used a popular social media messaging app to lure a 14-year-old girl, authorities announced Thursday.
Bryan Sanderson was charged Aug. 18 following a year-long, multi-agency investigation, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni said in a statement.
Authorities launched the investigation after police found Sanderson parked in a no-parking zone with a 14-year-old girl in his vehicle, Gramiccioni said. Sanderson had an expired registration and was also on parole supervision as a result of a previous conviction, Gramiccioni added.
Sanderson had "numerous images and videos considered child pornography" on his cell phone, authorities said.
Investigators determined Sanderson used the social media messenger app Kik -- which allows people to chat with strangers -- to meet the girl, Gramiccioni said.
Sanderson was charged with luring a juvenile, endangering the welfare of a child and violation of parole.
He is currently serving a sentence for parole violation at the Garden State Youth Correctional Facility in Bordentown, and will be transferred to the Monmouth County jail. Bail will be set at $250,000.
If convicted of luring a juvenile, Sanderson can receive a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
Authorities asked anyone with information to call Detective Michael Acquaviva of the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office at 732-431-7160 ext. 2233.
Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.