Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) announced today that a Sussex County, New Jersey, man was sentenced to seven years in state prison for attempting to sexually assault someone he believed was a minor.
Larry M. Noel, 49, of Stanhope, New Jersey, was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Christopher R. Kazlau in Bergen County, New Jersey, on March 27, 2026. In addition to the prison term, Judge Kazlau sentenced Noel to lifetime parole supervision and required him to register as a sex offender under Megan’s Law. Noel was convicted following a jury trial on November 12, 2025, of one count each of second-degree luring, second-degree attempted sexual assault, and third-degree attempted endangering the welfare of a child, impairing/debauching the morals of a child.
“Protecting our children, especially from sexual violence, is a top priority of our office,” said Attorney General Davenport. “The sentence handed down makes clear that attempting to hurt a child will never be tolerated. Our law enforcement partners did an excellent job in stopping the defendant before he could do more harm.”
“The sentencing we are announcing shows the serious consequences of this perpetrator’s actions,” said DCJ Director Theresa L. Hilton. “The internet can be a dangerous place for anyone, let alone children. We will use all the tools we have to find and prosecute those who prey on kids.”
“This sentencing sends a clear and unequivocal message: anyone who seeks to harm a child or exploit their innocence will face serious consequences,” said Jeanne Hengemuhle, Acting Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “With a seven-year prison sentence, lifetime parole supervision, and mandatory registration requirements, this outcome ensures continued accountability and oversight long after incarceration. The defendant’s actions posed a serious threat to our most vulnerable. Thanks to the relentless efforts of our detectives and the strong collaboration among our law enforcement partners, justice has been served, and our communities are safer as a result.”
According to documents filed in this case and the evidence at trial, on April 11, 2019, Noel contacted an undercover officer who was posing as a 14-year-old on a social media application. Noel identified himself as a 29-year-old man. Noel asked if the “child” wanted to meet, and indicated he would like to perform sexual acts on them. Noel arranged to meet the “child” at a predetermined location in Bergen County. When Noel arrived at the predetermined time and location, he was arrested.
This operation was spearheaded by a partnership of the Division of Criminal Justice, the New Jersey State Police, and the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, as part of “Operation Home Alone.” It was conducted by the New Jersey Regional Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, which includes members of the New Jersey State Police, New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, and numerous state, county, and local police agencies. The ICAC Task Force Program is a national network of 67 coordinated task forces representing over 3,500 federal, state, and local law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies. These agencies conduct proactive and reactive investigations and prosecutions of persons involved in child abuse and exploitation involving the internet.
The case was prosecuted by Deputy Attorneys General John Donovan and Danielle Scarduzio, Trial Analyst Ysan Chin, and Trial Detective Janel Tjiong.