Franklin youth minister accused of sexual assault

NEW BRUNSWICK – A Hillsborough man, who works as a youth minister at a Franklin Township church, is facing charges related to allegedly sexually assaulting and sexually touching two teenage girls in separate incidents in Middlesex and Somerset counties.

Shawn Butler, 48, was arrested April 3 at a relative's home in Millsboro, Delaware by members of the Delaware State Police Troop 7, according to Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey.

He has been charged with one count of sexual assault and two counts of criminal sexual contact and endangering the welfare of a child.

Butler was released from custody in Delaware after posting $50,000 bail. He is scheduled to surrender to New Jersey authorities on May 1. Bail in New Jersey has been set at $300,000.

An investigation by Middlesex Prosecutor's Office Detective Mark Morris and South Brunswick Detective Roger Tuohy determined Butler allegedly sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl in North Brunswick a number of times between July 2012 and August 2013.

Butler also has been accused of improperly touching a 15-year-old girl in South Brunswick and Hillsborough on a number of occasions between March 2014 and June 2014.

The investigation began last July after the 15-year-old girl contacted the South Brunswick Police Department.

Carey said Butler had been working as a youth minister at the Eternal Life Christian Center in the Somerset section of Franklin and served on the church's executive board at the time of the sexual assaults.

The investigation is continuing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office Detective Mark Morris at 732-745-4194 or South Brunswick Detective Roger Tuohy at 732-208-4896.

Staff Writer Suzanne Russell: 732-565-7335; srussell@mycentraljersey.com