Youth Mentor with Grace Bible Church, Barrington Accused of Sex Assaults on Minor

By Joe Green
Gloucester County Times
June 10, 2012

http://www.nj.com/gloucester-county/index.ssf/2012/06/youth_mentor_with_grace_bible.html

BARRINGTON — A youth mentor at Grace Bible Church here is accused of sexually assaulting a boy he met while volunteering with the church, Camden County Prosecutor Warren W. Faulk announced today.

Samuel Bangs, 23, of Bellmawr, was charged with sexual assault, endangering the welfare of a minor and two counts of criminal sexual conduct.

Authorities allege he engaged in "illegal sexual conduct" with the boy, who was under age 16, "over the past two months," a statement released by the Prosecutor's Office said.

Some of the encounters occurred at public parks, investigators said, adding that Bangs was no longer a mentor to the boy when the assaults took place.

The youth reported the alleged incidents on Friday, and Bangs was arrested Saturday afternoon.

Authorities haven't received other reports of abuse concerning the accused, "but the fact that Bangs works with children is a matter of concern," the Prosecutor's Office release said.

Anyone with information on inappropriate behavior between Bangs and youth is asked to contact Camden County Prosecutor's Office Inv. Anthony Roccia at 856-225-8400.

Authorities did not say immediately whether Bangs was still in custody or had posted bail.