Scout Leader: Update

A south New Jersey man who was involved with the Boy Scouts is behind bars on sex assault charges.

Prosecutors said Francisco Morales, 30, had sex with two Cumberland County boys and also took lewd photos of his victims.

The charges stem from incidents that allegedly occurred in the 1990s, but prosecutors said they didn't find out about them until recently, when one of the victims came forward.

Authorities said the suspect has contact with children on a regular basis, and they fear there may be more victims.

Morales, a professional photographer, has been an assistant Boy Scout leader for the last 18 months.

Morales was arraigned Thursday morning. Authorities said the victims -- who are now in their 20s -- were between 13 and 16 years old at the time of the alleged abuse.

"I was very, very shocked, because he seemed like a very nice man," said Claudia Goodwin, the landlord of Morales' youth photography studio. He has rented the space for less than a year.

Police arrested Morales on Tuesday and seized computer equipment and photos from the studio and from his home. Prosecutors said those materials may lead to other victims and additional charges.

Until his arrest, Morales also worked as a van driver for a private mental health center. The facility does have clients who are children, but officials there wouldn't say if Morales had any contact with them.

Although the suspect was not affiliated with the Boy Scouts when the alleged incidents took place, the charges have the organization on alert.

"We are working with them now to make sure that families and the boys involved have an open atmosphere to come forward in case anything, in fact, did occur," said David Parry, of the Boy Scouts Southern New Jersey Council.

Prosecutors in Cape May County are also involved in the case because Morales allegedly had sex with one of the victims on the beach in North Wildwood, N.J.

Morales said nothing during his arraignment in court Thursday. There was also no comment from his attorney. Prosecutors are urging any other victims, if there are any, to come forward right away.

Copyright 2003 by NBC 10. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Author: NBC10