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Manchester Man Faces 100 Years For Sexually Assaulting Child
MANCHESTER - A jury recently found 29-year-old Michael Sean Howell from Manchester Township guilty for sexually assaulting a child between the ages of 12 and 14.
Howell could face up to 100 years in prison for the assaults.
The assaults occurred over a two-year period. Howell, who was a firefighter with Manchester Fire Co. #1, was acquainted with the child prior to the assaults.
The trail began before Superior Court Judge James N. Citta on February 14. Following the initial hearing, the jury returned its verdict on February 26, finding Howell guilty of five counts of aggravated assault.
Howell, of Savannah Road in Manchester, was found guilty of one count each of sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual contact and child endangerment.
Howell sexually assaulted the female victim between June 2004 and September 2006, according to Michelle Armstrong, assistant Ocean County prosecutor.
The victim was between the ages of 12 and 14 during the time of the assaults.
After the jury's verdict, Howell was sent to serve immediate time in the Ocean County Jail.
Howell is still pending an evaluation at the state Corrections Department's Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center to determine if he is a compulsive sexual offender.
Jody, an employee from the criminal case department in the Ocean County Court Law Offices, said on Friday that the sentencing has yet to be scheduled.
Howell will be sentenced after his mental evaluation is determined. He could face up to 100 years in prison, 20 years for each charge.
-- Lauren Puglisi
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