Sex Assault, Child Porn Latest Charges Against Watchung Man

A Watchung man who faces invasion of privacy charges for allegedly videoing people in an amusement park bathroom is now accused of sexually assaulting a child and possession of child pornography, authorities said Friday.

Patrick Deck, 52, of Lakeview Avenue, was charged Friday by three jurisdictions in Warren, Morris and Somerset counties.

Watchung authorities charged Deck with second-degree committing a sexual assault by contact with a child who was between the ages of 11 and 12 years old and third-degree endangering the welfare of a child. Deck was also charged with possession of images of children under the age of 16 engaged in a sexual act.

Chester Township Police charged Deck with filming a child who was less than 16 years old engaging in a sexual act and second-degree sexual assault by contact with a child between the ages of 11 and 12 years old. Deck was also charged with third-degree endangering the welfare of a child for sexual contact that occurred when the child was between the ages of 6 and 10 years old, the Warren County Prosecutor's Office said.

Warren County Prosecutor Richard Burke said the charges in Watchung and Chester stem from alleged contact with the same child, who knew Deck.

Deck was also charged by Hope Township authorities with possession of images of children under the age of 16 and fourth-degree endangering the welfare of a child.

Deck, who remains jailed at the Warren County Correctional Facility, was initially charged earlier this week with invasion of privacy for allegedly . He was also charged with possession of a .22-caliber rifle in violation of terms of previous sentencing issued by courts.

The sexual assault charges are punishable by up to 10 years in prison, while the endangering charges carry up to five-year sentences if convicted.

NJ.com reported authorities searched Deck's home on Wednesday, discovering not only the rifle, but also videotapes that led to the latest charges. Police also said they removed a computer.  

Deck is currently being held in Warren County Correctional Center, with bail set at $200,000. He has been ordered not to contact either the child victim or family of the victim, the prosecutor's office said.

Deck had posted bail for the invasion of privacy charges, but was being held on $100,000 bail for the gun possession charges.

Burke said if Deck is able to make bail, he will be placed under house arrest, wear an electronic monitoring device, and avoid all contact with children.

Deck is scheduled to appear in Belvidere court on Monday.

Anyone with information, should contact the Warren County Prosecutor's Office at 908-475-6639 or by email at crirnetip@wcpo—nj.us.