A Burlington County man has been charged with conspiracy to commit human trafficking and other offenses after allegedly attempting to arrange a sexual encounter with a person he believed to be a 12-year-old girl. The announcement was made by Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ).
Robert R. Lockwood, aged 36, from Browns Mills, New Jersey, faces charges including conspiracy to commit human trafficking of a minor (a first-degree crime), attempted aggravated sexual assault, luring, and attempted endangering the welfare of a child (all second-degree crimes).
Attorney General Platkin stated: “The charges outlined in this complaint describe an attempt to sexually assault and traffic a child. My office is working constantly to intercept and charge defendants like this and protect children from these heinous crimes. We are grateful for the work of our law enforcement officers and prosecutors who do the incredibly difficult work of investigating these kinds of cases at great personal cost to keep New Jersey’s children from harm.”
DCJ Director Theresa L. Hilton added: “Anyone who tries to harm a child has to know that we will always be out there working to stop them and will then vigorously prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.”
Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, commented on the nature of such crimes: “There are few crimes more disturbing than those that target the innocence of a child. The charges in this case represent the darkest and most depraved side of human trafficking — one that preys on the vulnerable and leaves lifelong scars.”
According to court documents, Lockwood engaged in conversations with an undercover officer posing as a mother with a 12-year-old daughter via a mobile dating application starting April 7, 2025. During these exchanges, Lockwood allegedly expressed interest in taboo sex acts involving minors.
The interactions continued until May 5, 2025, during which Lockwood allegedly sought meetings with both individuals for illicit purposes. He reportedly sent photos identifying himself as Lockwood.
Lockwood was arrested on May 14, 2025, after arriving at an arranged meeting location in Westampton Township.
The prosecution is led by DCJ Deputy Attorney General Rob Guarni under supervision from Deputy Attorneys General Lisa Rastelli and Laura Magnone along with DCJ Deputy Director Jillian Carpenter.
First-degree offenses can result in sentences ranging from 10 to 20 years in state prison along with fines up to $200,000. Second-degree offenses carry potential sentences between five and ten years plus fines up to $150,000.
It is important to note that all charges remain allegations at this stage; Lockwood is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Defense counsel for Robert R. Lockwood is Jeremy Lackey Esq., based in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
