Cops: Boy Scout leader had sex with boys



Staff Writer; mjackson@thedailyjournal.com


WHAT TO DO

Anyone with information concerning Francisco Morales is asked to call the Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office. Detective Heather McManus can be reached at 453-4989. Sgt. James Parent can be reached at 453-0486.

VINELAND NJ -- Authorities charged a Boy Scout leader and Cumberland County youth counselor Tuesday with having sex with young boys and taking lewd photographs of them.

Francisco Morales, 30, was arrested after prosecutors from Cumberland and Cape May counties executed a search warrant on his Cherry Street home.

Investigators also searched his Millville photography studio, International Photos on High Street, where they seized computer equipment, videos, photographs and other documents, Cumberland County Prosecutor Ronald Casella said.

Prosecutors charged Morales with endangering the welfare of a child and sexual assault of a child under age 16.

The incidents are believed to have occurred between 1992 and 1995, he said.

Additional charges are possible after investigators examine evidence seized in the raids, Casella said.

The arrests follow an investigation which started when one of the victims told prosecutors about photo sessions and sexual liaisons with Morales, said Casella. At least one of the liaisons occurred in North Wildwood, he said.

"We are asking anyone who may have been a victim of this person to come forward," Casella said. "We believe there may be other victims out there who may come forward when they read about this."

Morales is a committee leader for Boy Scouts Chapter 580 in Vineland and a youth counselor at the Cumberland County Guidance Center in Millville.

Officials at the South Jersey Council of the Boy Scouts of America and the Guidance Center could not be reached Wednesday evening.

Casella would not say whether Morales met some of his alleged victims while working as a Scout leader or counselor.

He was held in Cumberland County Jail on $50,000 bail set by Superior Court Judge John Tomasello. An arraignment is set for 9 a.m. today.



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