Camden County, NJ – An Atlantic City lifeguard has been arrested and charged for attempting to meet with an underage girl to engage in sexual conduct after chatting online, reported Camden County Prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay and Cherry Hill Police Chief John Ostermueller.
Stephen M. Pagnoni, 38, of Egg Harbor Township is charged with 1st-degree Attempted Manufacturing of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), 2nd-degree Attempting to Lure a Child, 2nd-degree Attempted Sexual Assault of a Minor, 2nd-degree Attempted Prostitution with a Minor, and 3rd-degree Attempted Sending Obscene Material to a Minor. Additionally, he was charged with two counts of 3rd-degree Attempted Endangering the Welfare of a Child and two counts of Engaging in Prostitution (disorderly persons offenses).
On July 28, 2026, Pagnoni began communicating online with a person who he believed was a 15-year-old girl. Meanwhile, the person chatting with him was actually an undercover detective from the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crimes Unit. During the conversation, Pangoni arranged a meeting at a park in Cherry Hill for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity with the girl in exchange for money.
After arriving at the meeting location, Pagnoni was taken into custody by members of the Cherry Hill Police Department Tactical Response Team and Camden County Prosecutor’s Office. He was remanded to the Camden County Correctional Facility, pending a detention hearing.
Pagnoni has been employed as a lifeguard with the Atlantic City Beach Patrol for approximately 20 years. He has been suspended from his role.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Sergeant John Cochran of the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crimes Unit at (856) 225-8826. Tips may also be sent to CAMDEN.TIPS.
All individuals charged with crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.