N.J. Corrections Officer Accused of Having Child Pornography

Federal charges were filed against a New Jersey Department of Corrections officer recently in connection to what federal prosecutors describe as images of child sexual abuse, according to a recent article at NJ.com.
The 37-year-old Lodi resident was taken into custody by special agents of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations branch. He was accused of using his email account to “seek and obtain images of child sexual abuse, including images of prepubescent children,” according to federal prosecutors.
According to Homeland Security, the arrest was based on an investigation that began when the officer put an ad up on Craigslist stating that he “sought to connect with mothers who were into perverted topics.” The man traded emails with a Craigslist poster who responded to his ad, discussing a possible meeting with her and her 8-year-old daughter. He reportedly asked for photos of the child and made sexual comments about her.
Unbeknownst to the man, however, the “Craigslist poster” he was talking to was actually an undercover law enforcement officer.
Law enforcement officers later obtained a search warrant for the man’s personal email account, where they allegedly found an email that contained child pornography files.
The man was released on a $125,000 unsecured bond after facing charges, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. He is also subject to home confinement and electronic monitoring requirements as part of his bond.
Sex crime charges carry serious consequences, not only for your freedom but also for your personal and professional reputation. Any involvement of online communications in your charges, or claims that you crossed state lines as part of the actions of which you are accused, can make the charges more serious or even turn a state case into a federal one.
An experienced criminal defense lawyer can help you protect your legal rights and fight the charges. Contact criminal defense attorney Jill R. Cohen today by calling 856-242-7177 to schedule a consultation.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney/client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.