Live Streaming Sexual Assault Leads to Charges of Child Endangerment
A Hazlet, New Jersey man who ran a website live streaming sex acts is under arrest after an investigation disclosed that girls as young as 14 were being paid to perform. According to reports, the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security charged Robert J. Ianuale, 32, with:
“two counts of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child by causing or permitting a child to engage in child pornography, one count of first-degree promoting prostitution of a minor, one count of first-degree use of a juvenile to commit a crime, two counts of second-degree distribution of child pornography, one count of third-degree possession of child pornography, one count of third-degree financial facilitation of criminal activity, and one count of third-degree luring or enticing an adult.”
Ianuale is being held in the Monmouth County jail on $450,000 bail.
In addition to the sexual exploitation of at least two minors, Ianuale also allegedly attempted to induce viewers of the website to commit a sexual assault against a 25-year-old New York City woman outside her place of work. In May 2015, Ianuale is said to have offered $100 to anyone who would commit the crime during a live webcast. The list of agencies participating in the investigation included:
- New Jersey State Police Digital Technology Investigations Unit
- New Jersey State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force
- Hazlet Police Department
- Freehold Township Police Department
- Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office
This marshaling of forces indicates just how seriously law enforcement takes these charges; Mr. Ianuale is facing decades of potential prison time. State and federal authorities vigorously prosecute these types of crimes, which is why defense counsel must be prepared to battle highly trained and highly motivated federal prosecutors.
If you are facing cybercrime or internet child pornography charges, speak with an experienced defense lawyer at the Law Office of David J. Glassman. You can reach us online or at 866-221-1270.