Ex-NYC radio personality facing sex charge dies at 78

NEW YORK (CMC) — Legendary New York radio personality, Dave Herman, has died in jail while awaiting United States federal trial on charges of trying to seduce a six-year-old girl in the Caribbean, his lawyer has confirmed.

Attorney Marc Agnifilo told reporters that Herman, 78, a former announcer at WNEW-FM died on Wednesday after suffering an aneurysm inside the Essex County Jail in Newark, New Jersey.

Herman had been in custody following his arrest last year in the Virgin Islands in an undercover sting operation conducted by Bergen County prosecutors.

He was charged with attempting to transport a minor to engage in sexual activity, a US federal charge.

Court documents indicated the two sides were in plea negotiations in the case.

Herman was arrested October 24 at the St Croix airport, where he planned to meet the grammar school girl and her mom, US authorities said.

But, in a complaint, prosecutors charged that Herman cut an Internet deal with a 36-year-old woman to have sex with her daughter at his island vacation home.

He was extradited to New Jersey in November and held without bail.

Prosecutors said Herman was facing up to 10 years in prison and a US$250,000 fine if convicted.

He was one of New York City’s more prominent radio voices from 1972-98, and spent 40 years on the air before his retirement.

During his long local radio stint, Herman’s on-air guests included rock hall of famers John Lennon, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, and the Eagles.