A 29-year-old New Jersey man has pleaded guilty to traveling to Norway to have sex with a 14-year-old girl, prosecutors announced Thursday.
Jacob Bauer, of Toms River, copped to “traveling to a foreign place to engage in sexual conduct with a minor” in December 2023, when he was 27, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for New Jersey.
Prosecutors said that after returning to the United States, Bauer stayed in contact with the girl through several social media platforms, including Discord, where they discussed their sexual activities. Bauer also told others about meeting up with the teen overseas.
“During those conversations, Bauer acknowledged the victim’s age and status as a minor,” authorities said.
According to prosecutors, Bauer’s conduct was further made public when his personal information was published online by Discord users who learned of his criminal behavior and became intent on exposing him.
The “doxxing” dump, the details of which were later obtained by the FBI, helped authorities arrest Bauer earlier this year. The investigation included multiple agencies on the local, federal and international level, including INTERPOL, the Norwegian Police Service and the U.S. embassies in Denmark and Poland.
Bauer could be ordered to serve up to 30 years in prison and pay a fine of up to $250,000. His sentencing has been scheduled for Jan. 21.
