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Man who allegedly solicited Absecon 'girl' online released from jail


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A Philadelphia man accused of coming to Absecon’s Heritage Park to meet a 15-year-old girl for sex was ordered released from jail Tuesday.

Nashiem Cephas-Lee, 23, was arrested last week, after online "predator hunter" Cameron Decker confronted him when he came to meet Ema, who messaged Cephas-Lee that "I'm 15 but I act wayyy older."

Those messages were really from Decker, who had notified Absecon police. Officers arrested Cephas-Lee on camera.

Cephas-Lee told Judge Nancy Ridgway at his detention hearing that he no longer is a Philadelphia resident. He and his fiancee recently moved to the area, he said.

They were staying at the Absecon Travelodge while waiting for a permanent residence. He also said he has put in for employment at various businesses in the area.

Ridgway said she had concerns about Cephas-Lee, but that if she held him it would be considered a violation of Mercedes, a rule that keeps a defendant from being held based solely on the charge they face.

He has no other criminal history.

Cephas-Lee must check in with the court weekly, including in-person every other week.

He also is banned from going online unless it is to fill out paperwork for employment or for contact with his attorney.

Philly man arrested for meeting 'teen girl' in Absecon for sex

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Lynda Cohen

BreakingAC founder who previously worked in newspapers for more than two decades. She is an NJPA award-winner and was a Stories of Atlantic City fellow.

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