Sean M. Higgins was the youth pastor and music leader at Harbor Baptist Church in Hainesport, New Jersey. While he was youth pastor, he adopted the persona of a teenage girl named Julie Miller. As Julie Miller, he persuaded teen boys to send nude pics which he then used to coerce the boys to do as he demanded. He had them perform sex acts on themselves which he recorded, even more material for extortion.
He was indicted on 75 counts, including endangering the welfare of a child, aggravated sexual assault and cyber harassment. There were at least 13 victims. In January, 2023, he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 27 years.
- Action News: Former New Jersey youth pastor indicted for online sexual exploitation
- NJ.com: Youth pastor faces 27-year sentence for blackmailing boys into performing sex acts online
August 23, 2022 | Times, The (Trenton, NJ) | Trenton, New Jersey | Page 3