By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Monmouth County announced that a New York man has been convicted on all counts at trial for having explicit contact with a minor in a local motel room a little over two years ago.
Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago stated that following the trial before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Natalie S. Watson, 35-year-old David Leigh of Auburn, New York, was found guilty by a jury of second-degree Explicit Contact, third-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and fourth-degree Criminal Explicit Contact.
According to MCPO officials, an investigation by members of the Neptune Township Police Department revealed that Leigh and the victim, who was 14 at the time, had met via social media.
Shortly thereafter, in April 2023, they met in person at a motel in Neptune, where the Explicit Contact took place; the investigation further revealed that the victim had advised Leigh of her age beforehand, Monmouth County authorities said.
Monmouth County officials say Leigh was arrested in January 2024, and a Monmouth County Grand Jury returned a three-count indictment against him two months later.
The approximately weeklong trial culminated with two hours of jury deliberation before the guilty verdicts were returned yesterday, MCPO officials stated. The State proved its case using a variety of physical and electronic evidence, along with the victim’s own testimony.
This case has been prosecuted by MCPO Assistant Prosecutors Sarah M. Mielke and Christopher Ammon. Leigh was represented by George J. Mardinly, Esq., according to Monmouth County officials. 
Sentencing in the case has been tentatively scheduled for Friday, September 12, at which time Leigh will face up to 10 years in state prison, registration as an offender under Megan’s Law, and Parole Supervision for Life, MCPO officials said.