NEW JERSEY – Police officers arrested a Nutley Volunteer Fire Chief on Friday after learning of a pull incident, according to Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez.
The volunteer fire chief was identified as Henry Meola, 33, a Nutley resident. Meola is facing multiple charges, including one count of soliciting, a felony in the second degree and attempting to endanger the welfare of a child, a felony in the third degree.
Members of the North Bergen Police Department, the Hudson County Attorney’s Office Special Victims Unit, and the Nutley Police Department were called for the arrest.
The 33-year-old man was arrested at his home in Nutley, transported to the North Bergen Police Department and is being held at the Hudson County Correctional Center pending his first court appearance.
During the investigation, officials learned that Meola arranged to meet an individual, whom he believed to be a minor, for sexual activity in North Bergen.
The above charges are just allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Anyone wishing to report a sex crime should call the Hudson County Attorney’s Office Special Victims Unit (SVU) at 201-915-1234.
