A one-time New Jersey high school sports reporter previously accused of trying to lure a juvenile for sex was arrested Tuesday on federal charges alleging he sent sexually explicit online chats to an underage girl and had child pornography on his phone, authorities said.

Kevin Van Pelt, 29, of Lakehurst, was freed on $100,000 unsecured bond after he appeared in federal court in Trenton, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. He was charged with online enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual conduct and possession of child pornography.

An FBI special agent in a criminal complaint detailed the explicit messages that Van Pelt allegedly sent the girl, who was under 16. Authorities said local police learned last March that the girl was in an “online relationship” with Van Pelt and had sent him nude photographs. In addition, Van Pelt threatened to rape her, the complaint also stated.

The explicit chats took place on two social media sites and by phone, according to authorities. Van Pelt communicated with the minor online from August to October 2018.

In one exchange, Van Pelt wrote “I love how young you are,” to the girl, court documents stated. She replied “I[’]m half ur age,” and he allegedly replied, "That’s so hot.”

Investigators also discovered chats where Van Pelt “referred repeatedly” to her age, “stated that he wanted to rape her,” asked for naked photos of the girl and other explicit conduct, according to the complaint. Videos and images of child sexual abuse were also found on an iPhone seized from his bedroom, the complaint said.

Van Pelt, identified in court documents as a news reporter who covered high school sports, was a part-time employee in NJ Advance Media’s sports department in 2019. Kevin Whitmer, the company’s lead editor, said NJ Advance Media would have no comment.

The Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office first charged Van Pelt in May 2019 with endangering the welfare of a child and criminal attempted sexual assault for his alleged communications with the girl.

After his arrest, Van Pelt waived his right to remain silent and gave a videotaped statement to authorities, according to the federal complaint. He told investigators he originally thought the girl was 18, but later found out she was a minor. He also admitted to receiving the nude photos and that he accounts used in the chats were his, the complaint stated.

An attorney for Van Pelt declined to comment on the case.

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

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