Man Who Crashed Into Island Heights Boardwalk Charged With Failing to Register As Sex Offender

Asa Williams (Photo: Ocean County Jail/ Island Heights FD)

An Island Heights man changed his address without notifying authorities as required under Megan’s Law, prosecutors in Ocean County said Friday, just days after he crashed into the borough’s boardwalk while allegedly drunk.

Asa Williams, 42, of Island Heights, was charged with failure to register as a sex offender.

Megan’s Law, which has been in effect since 1994, requires certain sex offenders to register with their local police departments whenever they move or change their residential address or place of employment. Failure to comply with this obligation is a crime of the third degree, Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said.

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On Feb. 16, Williams was arrested at 1:10 a.m. after his 2017 Nissan Altima crashed into the boardwalk near River and West End avenues. He was charged that night with DWI. He also received tickets for failure to maintain lane, careless driving, reckless driving and damage to public property.

Asa Williams (Photo: Ocean County Jail/ Island Heights FD)

Asa Williams (Photo: Ocean County Jail/ Island Heights FD)

An investigation initiated by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office revealed that Williams, who is a registered Megan’s Law Offender, had moved from his registered address in Long Branch without notifying law enforcement. Williams has been charged by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office with failing to notify law enforcement of an address change pursuant to the requirements of Megan’s Law.

Further investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Megan’s Law Squad found that Williams had been residing in Island Heights without reporting this fact to law enforcement, it is alleged. Williams was taken into custody Friday without incident by setectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Megan’s Law Squad, Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, and Island Heights Police Department.

Williams is listed as a “tier two” offender with “moderate risk,” according to the New Jersey State Police Megan’s Law registry, however details of his crime were not listed in the registry data.

He was transported to the Ocean County Jail where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.

Anyone with relevant information regarding this case – or other individuals violating Megan’s Law requirements – should contact Detective Alex Dasti of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-929-2027, extension 3458. The information may be provided anonymously.