MANCHESTER TOWNSHIP, N.J. — A Manchester Township man has been charged with theft by deception after allegedly misusing more than $200,000 entrusted to him for investment purposes, authorities said.
James Hankins, Jr., 55, was charged on Feb. 19, 2025, following an investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crime Squad.
The case began on May 8, 2024, when an individual reported wiring $25,000 to Hankins in March 2024 for investment but never received confirmation that the money was used as intended, officials said. Detectives later uncovered a second victim in Florida who had given Hankins $185,000 between April and September 2023 under similar circumstances.
Investigators determined that Hankins had used the funds for personal expenses instead of investing them.
A warrant was issued for his arrest, and on Feb. 27, 2025, Hankins was taken into custody in Cookstown, New Jersey, by detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office and Manchester Township Police. He is currently being held at the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Authorities continue to investigate whether additional victims may be involved.