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New Jersey Charged 40 Men with Child Porn Crimes Last Year. What’s Happened Since?

In 2016, major headlines were generated when 40 men from around New Jersey were charged with crimes related to their alleged possession of child pornography. Dubbed “Operation Statewide,” this effort led to the arrest of at least one suspect in every one of the state’s 21 counties. As media coverage has moved on to other stories, it’s natural for people to assume that most, if not all, of the accused men are now sentenced to long prison terms.

This is not the case. In fact, as of late 2017, most are not incarcerated even though 25 of the defendants pleaded guilty. Six of the 40 have been sentenced to prison terms ranging from two to five years. One has already been released. Among the remaining men, some are still awaiting trial or sentencing. Others received probation or pre-trial intervention. This relatively underwhelming response demonstrates that flashy news coverage often overlooks the complications associated with Internet child pornography cases, such as:

  • Evidence-gathering — To determine the true extent of the alleged criminal misconduct, authorities must conduct a painstaking review of a suspect’s computer and other devices. An isolated offensive image might be the result of a mistake or activity that the owner did not authorize.
  • Investigating potential abuse — When confronted with obscene photographs or videos involving young people, police must determine if the person possessing the material is also engaging in child abuse. The urgency involved in stopping further harm can delay a complete review of what’s found on a computer.
  • Authenticating images — Online content is created and transmitted with lightning speed. Likewise, modern technology can create incredibly realistic images. To establish that a crime occurred, law enforcement must show that actual children are pictured in pornographic material.

Any allegation relating to Internet child pornography must be taken seriously. Someone who is found guilty of one of these crimes faces severe consequences, including a prison sentence and placement on the New Jersey Sex Offender Internet Registry. Even an unsupported accusation can destroy your reputation and ability to live in peace. If you’ve been targeted in one of these claims, it is essential to retain a New Jersey criminal defense attorney who is experienced in these intricate, sensitive matters.

The Law Office of David Jay Glassman advises defendants accused of crimes associated with Internet child pornography and other types of charges. Please call 866-221-1270 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation at one of our four locations. We have offices in Marlton, New Brunswick, Newark and Hackensack.