A former Dunellen recreation director and ex-Middlesex County College men's basketball coach was sentenced Friday to 52 years in state prison after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a teenage basketball player for nearly two years.

Christopher Tarver, 47, of Jackson, was found guilty on Nov. 15, 2017, by a Middlesex County jury of 20 counts that included second-degree sexual assault, fourth-degree criminal sexual contact, official misconduct and endangering the welfare of a child, according to a news release from the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.

Christopher Tarver (Photo provided)

An investigation revealed that between between June 1, 2010, and Dec. 31, 2011, during Tarver's time as a coach and recreation director, he engaged in multiple sexual acts with a child in Edison, Dunellen and Atlantic City, the release stated.

The investigation began when the victim, who was a member of the Monmouth Power Sports Club, a traveling basketball team affiliated with the Amateur Athletic Union, contacted authorities. Tarver had been the coach and executive director of the team since 1995.

The prosecutor's office said Tarver had "supervisory power and the legal duty or responsibility for the care of the victim who was under 18 years of age" when the crimes were committed.

He was also found in possession of child pornography in Jackson Township during the execution of a search warrant, the release stated.

Tarver also plead guilty on Feb. 22, 2018, under an open plea agreement to four remaining counts in the indictment. Those counts included endangering the welfare of a child by engaging in sexual conduct, two counts of official misconduct, and one count of engaging in a pattern of official misconduct.

The 28-year sentence Tarver received for those charges in the plea agreement will run concurrently to the 52-year sentence he received for his 2017 trial conviction, the release states.

Tarver must serve 25 years before he is eligible for parole and must register as a Megan's Law sex offender, authorities said. He was also ordered to be placed on parole supervision for life once he is released from prison.

A judge ordered a restraining order prohibiting Tarver, or anyone else on his behalf, to contact the victims or their families in any manner. He is also barred from holding any future public employment.

Tarver began as director of Dunellen Recreation in 2004, but was suspended soon after his arrest in 2014.

He was also employed as a men's basketball coach at Middlesex County College from 2006 to March 2014. He became the college's head basketball coach in June 2010.

Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @chrisrsheldon Find NJ.com on Facebook.