Morris Co. Man Tried To Have Sex With Teen, Sped Off In Car, Cops Say

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — A Morris County man was arrested recently after trying to have sex with a teenage girl and then speeding off in his car, according to Monmouth County prosecutors.

Jeffrey Lanci, 50, of Long Valley faces a slew of charges after trying to meet who he believed was a 15-year-old girl for sex in Monmouth County and then dangerously speeding off, authorities say.

Last month, Lanci had been in contact via social media with a detective who was posing as a 15-year-old girl, police say. They made a plan to meet at a location in Freehold to have sex, according to prosecutors.

When Lanci arrived at the predetermined meeting place, he immediately sped off, fleeing from the scene, police say.

Lanci drove over grass and onto a local highway, "nearly causing several collisions" before police ended the chase out of concern for the public's safety, authorities said.

Later that day, Lanci was arrested at his home in Long Valley. He was charged with eluding, luring, endangering the welfare of a child, and attempted criminal sexual contact.

Lanci is being held in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution while awaiting court proceedings.

Anyone with information about Lanci’s activities is being urged to contact Detective Anthony Lacher at 732-431-7160, Ext. 8570.