FREEHOLD – A Westampton Township man was arrested for luring and endangering the welfare of a child, announced Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.
Karl Vogt, 36, of Rancocas Road in Westampton Township, Burlington County, was charged with one count of third degree Luring, one count of third degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child for debauching the morals of a child, one count of fourth degree Possession of Prohibited Weapon for possessing a firearms silencer, and one count of fourth degree Possession of a Prohibited Weapon for possessing a large capacity magazine.
The charges follow a month long investigation in which Vogt sent messages to a person he believed was a 14-year-old female high school student. In those messages, Vogt planned to meet the 14-year-old and discussed engaging in sexual activity with the child. Detectives from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office learned Vogt resided in Westampton. On August 27, 2019, the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which includes Detectives from the Spring Lake Police Department, Hazlet Police Department, Ocean Township Police Department and Wall Police Department, Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office Computer Crimes Unit, NJ State Police Digital Technologies Investigations Unit, the Westampton Police Department, and Freehold Township Police Department arrested Vogt and executed a search warrant at his residence. During the search warrant officers located prohibited weapons.
If convicted of third degree charges, Vogt faces up to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison, Megan’s Law and Parole Supervision for Life. If convicted of fourth degree charges, Vogt faces 36 months in prison.
Anyone with additional information about this case is asked to contact Detective Tiffany Lenart of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office at 1-800-533-7443.
Anyone who feels the need to remain anonymous but has information about a crime can contact Monmouth County Crime Stoppers confidential telephone tip-line by calling 1-800-671-4400; can text “MONMOUTH” plus their tip to 274637; or, they can email a tip via the website at www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com. Monmouth County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of criminals and fugitives.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Stephanie Dugan.
Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.
