An Egg Harbor City man accused of sexually abusing two sisters for years was released to home detention Friday.
Michael Tracey, 47, faces five counts, including three counts of aggravated sexual assault.
The two girls are now 11 and 13, with the assaults allegedly beginning before the older girl was a teenager, according to the complaint. Two of the charges are for a victim younger than 13, with the third of a minor at least 13 but younger than 16.
Tracey was a caretaker for the girls.
A referral from Mullica Township police sparked an investigation Nov. 24, according to the affidavit of probable cause obtained by BreakingAC.
Tracey would commit the assaults under the guise of a game called "Monsters."
One of the girls said the touching and kissing started around 2018 or 2019.
"She tries to pretend she is asleep and often turns to her side to make it more difficult for Mike to kiss and touch her," the detective wrote in the affidavit. "(The victim) also said she often locks her legs out to make it ... more difficult."
The abuse happened at least once a week, and sometimes as much as twice a day, the girl said.
The victim "was very upset during the interview, and at times requested to hand write her response to my questions, as she did not feel capable of speaking the words," the detective wrote.
In March, Tracey got drunk and the girl woke up to an assault, she said.
Chief Assistant Prosecutor David Ruffenach did not detail the abuse during his presentation at the detention hearing, saying he knew family members were watching the proceeding.
Two of the charges fall under the Jessica Lunsford Act, which carries a minimum sentences of 25 years along with lifetime electronic supervision in sexual assault cases with victims that are younger than 12.
The state acknowledge that there was no other evidence at this time other than the statements. No DNA has tied Tracey to the allegations.
But the victims' statements "are compelling," Ruffenach said.
The state also was concerned about Tracey's welfare, saying the girls' mother said she saw Tracey holding a gun to his head via surveillance cameras on her property.
Defense attorney James Lankford said his client denied that.
He also noted that Tracey has been cooperative with the investigation and even turned over firearms he had to the police through his brother.
Judge Patricia Wild found that, despite the presumption of detention in a Lunsford case, there were conditions that would allow her to release Tracey.
He will be confined to home, which will be with his 72-year-old mother in Egg Harbor City.
Tracey also is to have no contact with the girls' mother, even if she does not go to court to make her current temporary restraining order permanent.
Tracey owns a construction company, but his attorney said his client believed the allegations would likely impact that business.
He was arrested Monday, and taken to the Atlantic County Justice Facility, records show. But the next day he was transferred to the Burlington County Jail. No reason was put on record as to why that happened.
