A 67-year-old retired police officer from Haddonfield is facing serious charges in Burlington County after prosecutors say he sexually assaulted a teenage girl he had been showering with gifts.
Louis J. Baselice, a Maple Shade resident, was taken into custody earlier in the week at the Maple Shade Police Department, according to authorities. Investigators allege the abuse included providing the girl with multiple items and financial help.
Prosecutors outline alleged conduct
Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw and Maple Shade Police Chief Brian P. Weiss announced Friday that Baselice has been charged with second-degree sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child, as reported by NBC10 Philadelphia.
According to prosecutors, a preliminary investigation found that Baselice bought an electric scooter and a cellphone for the underage victim and also provided his credit card number so she could order food. Officials say acquaintances of the girl alerted authorities, and investigators are still gathering evidence.
Legal implications
A conviction on a second-degree charge in New Jersey typically carries a state prison term of five to ten years and potential fines, according to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office. The state attorney general's office outlines the standard sentencing ranges for second-degree offenses.
Convictions under New Jersey sexual-offense laws also generally require registration under Megan’s Law and can result in community supervision or other post-release monitoring, based on guidance from the New Jersey courts. NJ Courts provides information on registration and community-notification requirements.
How to help investigators
Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-265-5035 and request a detective in the Special Victims Unit, or email [email protected], according to NBC10 Philadelphia.
Officials say they are limiting the release of details to protect the identity of the teenage victim while the investigation moves forward.
Officer history and next steps
Baselice is a retired member of the Haddonfield Police Department and lives in Maple Shade, authorities said. Prosecutors did not release additional information about his prior employment record or the court schedule.
The case remains under active investigation, and officials say they will share updates when appropriate. Court filings or an arraignment date were not immediately available.
