Ex-South Toms River Recreation Commissioner Charged With Sex Crimes

William Gleason (Photo: Ocean County Jail)

Prosecutors in Ocean County on Tuesday said they had brought sex charges against the former Recreation Commissioner in South Toms River, including crimes against minors.

William Gleason, 68, of South Toms River, was charged with two counts of aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual contact, and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. At least one of the counts involves a victim younger than 13-years-old, according to charging documents.

According to a statement issued by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, an investigation by the agency’s Special Victims Unit and South Toms River Police Department Detective Bureau revealed that between 2015 and 2020, Gleason sexually assaulted a minor victim who resided in his home. As such, Gleason was charged with the offenses Nov. 23. He surrendered himself at South Toms River Police Headquarters on Nov. 25, 2023, and was subsequently transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.

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“Although the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office does not typically issue press releases in matters such as this due to their sensitive nature and out of respect for the victim’s privacy, Gleason’s previous position as head of the South Toms River Recreation Commission, and perhaps more importantly his former role as a foster parent, necessitated this particular alert to the public,” said Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer.

Billhimer urged anyone with information on the investigation to contact Detective Delaney Huber of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-929-2027, extension 3218, or Detective Timothy Meier of the South Toms River Police Department at 732-363-0200, extension 112.