By: Richard L. Smith
A Morris County man faces multiple charges after authorities said he attempted to meet someone he believed was a 15-year-old girl for a sexual encounter before fleeing police and nearly causing several crashes in Monmouth County.
According to information released by Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago, Jeffrey Lanci, 50, of Long Valley, was arrested following an undercover investigation conducted by the prosecutor’s High Tech Bureau.
Investigators said Lanci communicated with an undercover detective posing as a minor through social media before exchanging sexually explicit messages and arranging a meeting in Freehold last month.
Authorities said Lanci arrived at the agreed-upon location but fled, driving across a grassy area and onto a nearby highway.
During his escape, Lanci allegedly nearly caused several collisions, prompting authorities to discontinue their pursuit over concerns for public safety.
Detectives later located Lanci at his Washington Township residence, where he was arrested without incident.
Lanci faces charges of second-degree eluding and luring, third-degree endangering the welfare of a minor, and fourth-degree attempted criminal sexual contact.
He remains detained at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution after Superior Court Judge Vincent N. Falcetano Jr. granted prosecutors’ request to hold him pending further court proceedings.