Prosecutor: Hazlet Convenience Store Clerk Offered Teenage Girls Vaping Products in Exchange for Explicit Pictures

Muhammad Ikram, 41, an employee of Sam’s 2 convenience store on Palmer Ave in Hazlet, stands accused of soliciting underage girls for sexually explicit photos in exchange for vaping products, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced.

Ikram was arrested on October 28 following an investigation which was launched by the Hazlet Police Department upon reports from minors that he was taking photos of them while inside the business in exchange for free merchandise.

Ikram has been charged with three counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, as well as an additional charge of Selling Tobacco Products to Minors.

Investigators are seeking additional information about Ikram’s activities and are looking to identify other possible victims. Anyone with any information please contact Detective Nicolas Logothetis of the Hazlet Township Police Department at 732-264-0763.

Anyone who feels the need to remain anonymous but has information about a crime can submit a tip to Monmouth County Crime Stoppers by calling their confidential telephone tip-line at 1-800-671-4400; by downloading and using the free P3 Tips mobile app (available on iOS and Android – https://www.p3tips.com/1182), by calling 800-671-4400 or by going to the website at www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com

If convicted, the defendant is facing up to 5 years imprisonment on each charge of Endangering the Welfare of a Child and would be subject to Parole Supervision for Life and required to register under Megan’s Law.