Seaside Park officer arrested on sex charges with minor

FREEHOLD – A Seaside Park Class II special police officer was arrested Wednesday on charges that he had sexual contact with a teenage girl in his Hazlet residence, authorities said.

Daniel J. Alfano, 25, allegedly engaged in sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl May 2, according to a news release from Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni. His arrest came after Hazlet police investigated the allegation.

He was charged with second-degree sexual assault and two counts of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, according to the release. He was released after posting $100,000 bail, as set by Judge Joseph W. Oxley.

The Seaside Park Police Department took Alfano off their part-time officer schedule earlier this month after hearing about the investigation, Chief Francis Larkin said. The department initiated termination proceedings after his arrest.

Alfano was hired as a Class I police officer in the spring of 2014, Larkin said. He entered Class II training with the Ocean County Police Academy in December and graduated in May. As a part-time officer, he made slightly more than $8 an hour.

Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Danielle Zanzuccki is assigned to the case. Alfano's defense attorney is Mitchell Ansel of Ocean Township.

If convicted of sexual assault, Alfano could face up to 10 years of prison time, be subject to restrictions under Megan's Law and community supervision for life.

Each count of the endangering the welfare of a child charges could get Alfano three to five years in prison if he is convicted.

Steph Solis: 732-643-4043; ssolis@gannettnj.com