Gregory S. Rittman A Howell man who was arrested three weeks ago and charged with masturbating in front of a juvenile in the public bathroom at a fast-food restaurant on Route 35 in Wall Township is facing a dozen new charges after additional victims were identified, Monmouth County Acting Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced on Nov. 11.
Gregory S. Rittman, 49, was initially arrested on Oct. 24 after authorities received a report from an employee at the McDonald’s restaurant who described allegedly lewd behavior witnessed by an 8-year-old juvenile near the sink in the men’s bathroom of the restaurant on Route 35, according to the prosecutor.
Rittman was charged with one count each of second-degree sexual assault, thirddegree endangering the welfare of a child, fourth-degree lewdness and a disorderly persons charge of harassment. He was released after posting $73,000 bail with no 10-percent option.
On Nov. 7, Rittman was taken into custody and is facing 12 additional charges following a subsequent investigation by the Wall Township Police Department and the prosecutor’s office, which identified three additional victims.
In addition to the initial charges, Rittman now faces three counts each of second-degree sexual assault, third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, fourth-degree lewdness and disorderly persons charges of harassment.
The three additional victims were identified after a press release was issued that described the allegations and included a picture of Rittman and a call for anyone who may have had contact with him to come forward. The additional people came forward to describe incidents of alleged victims ranging in age from 6 to 8 years old observing Rittman committing lewd acts in public restrooms during the last year, according to the prosecutor.
“It is important for parents and guardians of small children to take a look at the picture of this defendant. We believe there are additional victims out there and we urge everyone to come forward with any information about this case,” Wall Township Police Chief Robert L. Brice said.
Authorities said they believe Rittman has been performing lewd acts in front of children for about two years at locations in Monmouth and Ocean counties.
Rittman is currently being held in the Monmouth County jail on $609,000 bail with no option to post 10 percent.
Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to contact Wall Patrolman James Cadigan at 732-449-4500, ext. 1162, or Detective Carolina Moreno of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Bureau at 732-431-7160.
If convicted of sexual assault, Rittman faces a minimum sentence of up to 10 years in state prison on each of the second degree charges. He would be subject to the provisions of Megan’s Law following his release.
If convicted of endangering the welfare of a child, he faces a sentence of five to 10 years. If convicted of lewdness, Rittman faces up to 18 months on each count.