SOUTH TOMS RIVER – Detectives are reaching out to the public to see if there are any other victims after a former councilman was charged with sexually assaulting a minor.
William Gleason, 68, was charged with two counts of Aggravated Sexual Assault, Sexual Assault, Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact, and two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
“Although the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office does not typically issue press releases in matters such as this due to their sensitive nature and out of respect for the victim’s privacy, Gleason’s previous position as head of the South Toms River Recreation Commission, and perhaps more importantly his former role as a foster parent, necessitated this particular alert to the public,” Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said. “I urge anyone in possession of information concerning this investigation, or any additional information concerning this defendant’s conduct, to contact Detective Delaney Huber of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-929-2027, extension 3218, or Detective Timothy Meier of the South Toms River Police Department at 732-363-0200, extension 112.”
The charges follow an investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and South Toms River Police Department Detective Bureau. They said that between 2015 and 2020, Gleason sexually assaulted a minor victim who resided in his home.
He was charged on November 24 and surrendered himself at South Toms River Police Headquarters on November 25. He is currently in the Ocean County Jail in Toms River and has a detention hearing on November 30.
Gleason has decades of experience in community service, at various times being on the Sewerage Authority, Recreation Commission, the South Toms River Optimist Club, and more. He was formerly a member of the Borough Council.
Borough Attorney Chris Dasti said that Gleason would be “immediately removed from all appointed positions,” including the recreation commission, which organizes events for children.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledged the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, and South Toms River Police Department Detective Bureau, for their combined assistance in connection with this investigation.
Charges are merely accusations until proven in a court of law.
