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Thomas Downes, 61, of Jersey City
Thomas Downes, 61, of Jersey City, is accused of inappropriately touching an athlete at a NJSIAA tournament in Toms River.
The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said Monday that the head coach of a North Jersey girls track team has been accused with inappropriately touching an athlete from another team during a state track meet in Toms River.
In an incident that occurred on February 12, Thomas Downes, 61, of Jersey City, was charged on February 24 with criminal sexual contact and endangering the welfare of a minor, according to Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer.
According to the NJSIAA website, the indoor track and field sectional finals were conducted that weekend at the John Bennett Indoor Athletic Complex. According to the website, teams from North Jersey Section 1 participated in Groups 1 and 4 (the smallest and largest schools) on the morning of Feb. 12.
According to Billhimer, the girl told her coach that an adult man approached her during the meet and inappropriately touched her, and the girl's coach alerted Toms River police.
Downes was identified as the individual who had touched the youngster after an investigation by Toms River detectives and the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office Special Victims Unit, according to Billhimer.
At the time of the incident, Downes was the head coach of a girls track team at a high school in Jersey City, according to Billhimer. He didn't say which high school it was.
Downes surrendered on Monday at Toms River police headquarters, was processed, and released on a summons pending a future court appearance, according to Billhimer.
Anyone with additional information or who believes they have been touched should contact Ocean County Prosecutor's Office Detective Alex Bromley at 732-929-2027, ext. 3271, or the Toms River Township Police Department Detective Bureau at 732- 349-0150, ext. 1297.
According to Billhimer, the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office aided with the inquiry.
