Pemberton Deacon Charged With Sexual Assault

A New Jersey church deacon has been charged with sexually assaulting a girl during a Sunday service.

The Burlington County Prosecutor's office says Joseph V. Pullen Jr., of Pemberton Township assaulted the child during a July 8 service at Calvary Baptist Church.

Authorities say Pullen, a church deacon, was alone with the victim at the time, although a service was under way.

It is not clear immediately clear if he has a lawyer. A message left for church officials was not returned.

Pullen was arrested Friday and is being held on $250,000 bail.

Prosecutors say an investigation into the incident revealed that Pullen had allegedly assaulted the same victim in 2011 at a different location.

Pullen faces charges in both incidents, including sexual assault, sexual contact and child endangerment.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)