A Hunterdon County man who hosted holiday light displays to fundraise for children’s healthcare - and was later arrested on a child pornography charge - was arrested and charged Monday with sexually abusing three juveniles, officials said.

Darren Pieper, 44, of Readington, was arrested on three counts of sexual assault of a minor and three counts endangering the welfare of a child via sexual conduct, according to Acting Hunterdon County Prosecutor Michael J. Williams.

“These charges involve three different juvenile victims who were assaulted on various dates between 2011 and 2015. The crimes occurred in both Readington Township and Raritan Township,” the prosecutor said in a statement.

Williams said the ongoing investigation involved multiple law enforcement agencies and urged anyone with “relevant information” about Pieper to call the county prosecutor’s office.

The charges announced Monday marked the third reported time Pieper faced allegations involving juveniles. In June, Readington police said he was charged with possession of child pornography after detectives found “storage devices containing child pornography files.”

About a month earlier, authorities received word that a runaway juvenile from Virginia, reported missing in October 2018, was staying at Pieper’s home, according to police. Officers went there spoke with the homeowners, Darren Pieper and his wife, Tracy.

"During the course of the investigation, officers located evidence indicating that the missing juvenile was potentially staying there in a makeshift apartment,” Readington police said in a previous statement. “Officers continued their search until the missing juvenile was located hiding inside a van parked at the rear of the Pieper’s property.”

Police alleged Darren and Tracy Pieper gave false information and obstructed efforts to find the missing youth. Darren Pieper was charged with offenses, including providing alcohol to a minor and endangering the welfare of a child in that case, according to the department. Tracy Pieper was released on a summons complaint after being charged with offenses, including obstructing the administration of law.

In 2012, the Hunterdon County Democrat newspaper described Pieper hosting a holiday display with 100,000 lights and 67 Christmas trees at his Route 523 home, which attracted spectators from around the area. The event was billed as a way to collect donations for a non-profit that funds various children’s hospitals and medical research. The Pieper’s holiday tradition was also featured in local media in 2009 and 2010.

The status of the past cases involving Darren Pieper and his wife were not immediately available. He could not be reached by phone.

Anyone with information about Darren Pieper can call the prosecutor’s office Special Victims Unit at 908-788-1129.

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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