Brian L. Avis, 60, was sentenced to 17 years in New Jersey State Prison for the sexual assault of a 10-year-old girl in 1996 and endangerment of a 5-year-old girl in 2003. EGG HARBOR CITY, N.J. - An Egg Harbor City man was sentenced on sex assault and endangerment of two Atlantic County children, officials announced Monday.
Brian L. Avis, 60, was sentenced to an aggregate 17 years in New Jersey State Prison for aggravated sexual assault of a 10-year-old that was committed in 1996 and child endangerment of a 5-year-old in 2003, according to authorities. "Since 1996, the Legislature has greatly enhanced the penalties for sexual offenses involving children.
If committed today this defendant would have faced the potential for much more severe consequences," said Chief Assistant Prosecutor John Flammer who represented the State. "For more than two decades the victims and their families have waited to know who did this.
They may never know why Brian Avis chose them, but today, at a minimum, they have a degree of closure and a measure of justice," These cases were considered cold cases with little leads as to the suspect's identity, until 2021, according to Flammer.