The National Trial Lawyers - Top 40 under 40
NACDA - Top 10 Ranking 2014
BBB Accredited Business
Top Attorney Criminal Defense
Criminal Defense
American Jurist Institute - Seal of Excellence
American Jurist Institute - Top 10 Attorneys

Phillipsburg Man Faces Life in Prison for Alleged Sexual Assault of Minor

Phillipsburg, NJ Man Accused of Sexually Assaulting Child

Sexual Assault Attorneys in Phillipsburg NJA Phillipsburg, NJ man faces life in prison if he is convicted of sexually assaulting a minor. The Warren County Prosecutor’s Office recently announced that criminal charges have been filed against Thomas R. Degroat, a 69-year-old resident of Phillipsburg, New Jersey. Degroat lives on the first block of Glenn Avenue in Phillipsburg, but it is unclear if the alleged sexual assault occurred at his residence or elsewhere in the town. What is known is that law enforcement started an investigation into Degroat after receiving information that he allegedly sexually assaulted a child under the age of 13. The Phillipsburg Police Department and the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit worked together on the joint investigation, with detectives eventually determining that enough evidence existed to get an arrest warrant for Degroat.

According to authorities, Degroat sexually assaulted the underage victim “multiple times.” Additionally, sources close to the investigation have indicated that Degroat knew the victim and that this was not a random act. More details about the alleged sex crime will likely emerge in the weeks and months ahead.

New Jersey Bail Guidelines

After being placed under arrest by police, Degroat was taken to the Warren County Jail in Belvidere, NJ. The next day, Degroat made an appearance in the Warren County Superior Court. Degroat currently remains behind bars while awaiting resolution of the very serious charges against him. With the new bail guidelines in New Jersey – which are meant to prevent potentially violent criminal defendants from endangering public safety while their cases slowly move through the NJ criminal justice system – it is entirely possible that Degroat will remain in jail until his case is resolved.

If Degroat is eventually released from jail prior to trial, or prior to any sort of plea deal with Warren County prosecutors, he would likely be prohibited from making any contact with the victim in the case. Typically, New Jersey judges impose restraining orders to bar criminal defendants from contacting or interacting with victims.

NJ Sex Crime Penalties

Degroat has been charged with multiple sex crimes: aggravated sexual assault, criminal sexual contact, and endangering the welfare of a child. The most serious of these charges is the aggravated sexual assault charge. It is important to keep in mind that aggravated sexual assault is classified as a first degree felony. Ordinarily, first degree felonies in NJ carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in New Jersey State Prison. However, Warren County Prosecutor Richard Burke issued a news release about the Degroat case and stated that Degroat could potentially get life in prison if he is ultimately convicted on all charges. That’s because N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2 stipulates that the sentence for a defendant convicted of aggravated sexual assault of a minor “shall be between 25 years and life imprisonment.”

The Tormey Law Firm Defends Clients Against Sexual Assault Charges in Phillipsburg, NJ

Have you been accused of aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, child endangerment, or any other sexual offense in Phillipsburg, New Jersey? The consequences of a conviction would be severe, which is why you need an aggressive criminal defense attorney on your side right now. The skilled criminal defense lawyers at the Tormey Law Firm understand the nuances of the NJ Criminal Code and know how to defend you against your sex crime charges. Travis J. Tormey, Esq., the firm’s founding partner, used to work for the United States Attorney’s Office and assisted the sex crime units of the federal prosecutor’s office. Now he represents defendants in sex crime cases throughout Warren County, NJ. Contact us today to discuss your case.

Practice areas

  • Excellent Lawyer... Helped me in every step off my Case..

  • Great work

  • Best lawyer!!

  • FRO removal success!!

  • Easy to work with, straightforward

  • Kept my license

  • Father of client

  • Excellent Attorney , Charges Dismissed as promised

  • Helped every step of the way

  • Avoid mandatory jail time on shoplifting charges

  • GREAT – HONEST- ATTORNEY -AND – VERY GOOD

  • Help

  • Did the job he was hired to do

  • Great lawyer

  • Simple assault charge was dropped

  • Top Notch Representation

  • Well worth it.

  • DUI Case Dismissed

  • 2 felony charges dismissed

  • Cameron bury

  • great attorney

  • Hands Down Professional and delivers results!!!

  • DUI case dismissed

  • 125 stars out of 10!!

  • Excellent at getting best outcome

  • Excellent Attorney

  • TRO Dismissal

  • Efficient Excellent attorney.

  • Excellent attorney

  • Travis successfully defended me in an unprecedented Final Restraining Order Trial with ease

  • Kick Ass Attorney!

  • Efficient and professional attorney

  • Great Lawyer And Great Results

  • Top Notch DUI Attorney

  • Client Domestic Violence

  • Restraining Order

  • A real pro in a time of need - DWI Dismissed.

  • The most experienced, patient and affordable attorney

  • Travis Tormey successfully had a False TRO against me dismissed.

  • Underaged Drinking

  • Underaged Drinking

  • DUI Dismissed

  • Saved me from a DUI. HIGHLY recommended

  • Restraining Order

  • Case dismissed with Data Driven Facts

  • Respectful. Attentive. Professional.

  • Trespassing and Under the Influence Disorderly Persons charges

  • If you are reading this- You have reached the right place! Undoubtedly, the BEST Law Firm in New Jersey!

  • Amazing attorney with a heart of gold

  • Exceeded my expectations, Highly Professional Attorney

  • Responsive and knowledgeable.

  • The Tormey law firm was very kind and professional

  • Expungement

  • Travis Tormey is a True Professional Who Kept Me Out of Jail

  • Saved me a whole ton of problems

  • Travis Tormey Review

  • A nightmare case, with a happy ending.

  • Elite NJ Marijuana Attorney! 5 Stars!!

  • An Excellent lawyer!

  • Great lawyer for DUI

  • I highly endorse Travis Tormey.

  • Travis Tormey Law Firm

  • Travis is a Lifesaver

  • Travis J. Tormey - Evaluation

  • Great Lawyer. Got me off exactly what I wanted

  • Consummate Professional!

  • Great Criminal Defense Lawyer

  • Good Service

  • Exceptional Lawyer

  • Exceptional Lawyer

  • Hired to defend me for aggravated assault

  • Hired to defend me in a restraning order

  • Excellent attorney, highly recommend his talents

  • DWI Counsel

  • I highly recommend Mr. Tormey

  • Great attorney

  • Travis Tormey, Esq. - Great Results!

  • Travis Tormey - Excellent Attorney-Kind and Trustworthy

  • Excellent Attorney-Trustworthy and Kind

  • An Outstanding lawyer!!! That will represent you in the correct way!

  • Excellent Attorney! You will not be dissapointed....

  • Travis Tormey Gets Results!

  • tormey

  • Success!!

  • Travis Tormey Review

  • Only Lawyer I Recommend

  • Very Grateful

  • Attorney review of Travis Tormey

  • Excellent

Request a Free Consultation

Call Us Today!

973.755.1695

Who we are

Our attorneys serve clients in Allamuchy, Andover, Belvidere, Frankford Township, Greenwich, Franklin Borough, Hackettstown, Hopatcong, Lopatcong Township, Newton, Mansfield Township, Sparta, North Warren, Vernon, Phillipsburg, Wantage, Pohatcong Township, Stillwater, Washington Borough, and throughout Sussex County and Warren County, New Jersey.

Disclaimer

The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established.