A Pleasantville man who allegedly tried to meet a 14-year-old boy for sex was released from jail Wednesday.
Robert Heinz, 62, was arrested after police received information from Colorado Ped Patrol, a nonprofit group that catches child predators online.
The group was in Atlantic County with two other similar groups — Creeps Spotlight and LC Predator Catcher — this past weekend, and helped in the arrest of four men. A fifth man also was caught on video, but BreakingAC has not been able to confirm his arrest.
Pleasantville police were contacted last Thursday, and given text messages setting up the meeting, along with video of Heinz admitting that he expected he would be having oral sex with a 14-year-old boy, according to the affidavit of probable cause.
Detective Helima Leach then investigated further, and Heinz was charged.
Heinz admitted to sending the messages on Grindr, and that he uses several social media apps to meet young men for sex at least weekly, the affidavit states.
Defense attorney John Bjorklund told the judge there is no indication any of those other meetings were with juveniles.
Heinz has been in the Atlantic County Justice Facility since Friday. But because he has no other criminal history, Judge Donna Taylor followed the public safety assessment's recommendation to release Heinz.
He must check in with the court twice a month — once in person as soon as that's allowed. He can return to his home in the California Apartments, which has a mailing address of Absecon.
Heinz also cannot have access to the internet, including if he has a cell phone, Taylor said.
He does not own a computer, Bjorklund told the judge.
"The defendant targeted what he believed was a young and vulnerable 14-year-old victim," Assistant Prosecutor Dierdre Laws told the judge. "He committed this offense from the comfort of his home."
The other three men are expected to have detention hearings later this week.
