Lanoka Harbor Man Pleads Guilty To Sexual Assault Of 11-Year-Old

A Lanoka Harbor man could be facing up to seven years in state prison after he pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual assault of a juvenile, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office.

John J. Davin, 77, pleaded guilty before Ocean County Superior Court Judge Francis R. Hodgson on Thursday to one count of first degree aggravated sexual assault. he will be sentenced in the second degree range, said Ocean County Prosecutor's Office spokesman Al Della Fave.

Senior Assistant Prosecutor Terry Ann Linardakis is requesting seven years in New Jersey State Prison with no early release, registration under Megan's Law, parole supervision for life and Nicole's Law - no contact with the victim, Della Fave said.

Davin will be sentenced after an AVENEL evaluation.  

The case against Davin involved the digital penetration of an 11-year-old juvenile the defendant knew. The incident occurred in January 2013 in Lacey Township.  Davin was arrested on January 25, 2013. 

Davin has been in the Ocean County Jail in Toms River on $250,000 cash bail since his arrest.

The case was investigated by Det. Stephanie Bayha of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office and Det. Ronald Buxton of the Lacey Township Police Department.  Lt. Paul Valles of the New Jersey State Police assisted in the investigation. Debra Giordano from victim-witness assisted the victim's family throughout the process, Della Fave said.