FREEHOLD – A former Howell business owner pled guilty on Oct. 11 to inappropriately touching several customers and employees at his store, according to Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.
Brian Young, 53, who is the former owner of Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More in the Howell Center Shopping Plaza on Route 9, pleaded guilty to third degree endangering the welfare of a child and fourth degree criminal sexual contact before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Dennis R. O’Brien.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Young faces three years in a New Jersey state prison when he returns for sentencing on January 10, 2020.
He will also be subject to the provisions of Megan’s Law and Parole Supervision for Life upon his release from prison.
A joint investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and the Howell Township Police Department was launched in November 2018 after the Howell Township Police Department received a report that the juvenile victim was inappropriately touched by Young while inside his business.
[adrotate banner="278"]Following the defendant’s arrest on Nov. 9, 2018, five additional adult victims, who were customers and employees, disclosed Young had also inappropriately touched them at the business. The case is assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Danielle Zanzuccki. Young is represented by Michael Pappa, Esq. of Hazlet.
Just for clarification purposes, Young is no longer the owner of the Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More. They are now under new ownership.
