Pemberton Deacon Charged with Sex Assault on Girl

Philadelphia Inquirer
July 14, 2012

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/new_jersey/162439836.html

A deacon at a Pemberton Township church was charged with sexually assaulting a girl, including during a service on Sunday, authorities said.

Joseph V. Pullen Jr., 59, of Whispering Pines Boulevard, Pemberton Township, appeared in Superior Court in Mount Holly on Friday. He was charged with aggravated sexual assault, endangering the welfare of a child, and related offenses in two alleged incidents.

Authorities said the most recent assault took place at the Calvary Baptist Church on Sunday when Pullen was alone with the victim. They said he previously assaulted her at an undisclosed location in the fall of 2011. They did not provide details about the alleged assaults or more information about the victim.

Pullen was taken into custody Friday morning at the township police department and was being held at the Burlington County Jail with his bail set at $250,000. - Barbara Boyer