Crime & Safety
Seven from Camden, Burlington Counties Busted in Child Porn Sting
Residents of Audubon, Pennsauken, Moorestown, Lindenwold, Berlin,Camden City,and Maple Shade were collared last week in "Operation Watchdog"
Editor's Note: One or more names in this report have been redacted in light of additional documentation provided regarding this case.
State police apprehended 27 New Jerseyans last week from 26 different towns on charges of possessing and distributing child pornography. Another three individuals are still being sought in connection with the case.
The sting, dubbed "Operation Watchdog," comprised officers from 21 law enforcement agencies as well as the Digital Technology Investigations Unit of the state police.
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Police turned over to the FBI the evidence with which they caught the suspects, who were located by a "digital fingerprint" tracking system that embedded a traceable code within the pornographic files they shared.
Seven Camden and Burlington County residents were arrested in five days, including:
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- Cesar Salgado-Maya, 23, of Audubon
- Lucas F. Walsh, 24, of Maple Shade
- William J. Brooks, 66, of Pennsauken
- Joshua Ferreri, 25, of Berlin Township
- Ryan Taylor, 27, of Lindenwold
- Christopher Guzman, 32, of Camden
- a 17-year-old Moorestown male, unnamed because he is a juvenile.
Salgado-Maya had been living near a daycare center on the White Horse Pike when he was arrested. Police allegedly discovered Brooks operating a file-sharing program used to distribute child pornography when he was served with his warrant.
“We must banish the misguided notion that online viewing and sharing of child pornography is a victimless crime,” said Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa. “The vulnerable children who are tortured and degraded to create these vile materials are re-victimized every time another person views the images."
Sentencing for such crimes ranges in severity. Possession of child pornography is punishable by up to 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine; distribution is a second-degree crime that carries with it a penalty of five to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.
If convicted of the charges, each of the 27 would be required to register as a sex offender for a period of no less than 15 years.
“Let the word go out that those who share child pornography over the Internet are also sharing the evidence of their crimes with computer experts from law enforcement, who are patrolling the Internet to stop this tragic victimization of children,” said Stephen J. Taylor, director of the state Division of Criminal Justice.
The following individual was arrested on April 11, 2012 and charged with sexual assault, manufacturing child pornography, and distribution and possession of child pornography:
Name
Age
Town
Bernard Cahill
43
Folsom
The following individuals were charged with distribution and possession of child pornography:
Arrested on 03/01/12:
Name
Age
Town
Cesar Salgado-Maya
23
Audubon
Arrested on 04/09/12:
Name
Age
Town
Charles E Jones
50
Morristown
Ryan Taylor
27
Lindenwold
Jeremy Gardner
18
Livingston
Joshua Kane
31
Wayne
Max Mejia
46
Atlantic City
Juvenile Male
17
Moorestown
Arrested on 04/10/12:
Name
Age
Town
William J. Brooks
66
Pennsauken
Lucas Francis Walsh
24
Maple Shade
David Ingoglia
36
Byram
Scott Hersh
43
Mount Arlington
(name removed)
John Thomas Kondes
56
Bayonne
Andrew Rodriguez
27
Park Ridge
Arrested on 04/12/12:
Name
Age
Town
Collin Tillett
29
Hamilton (Atlantic Co.)
Armondo Flores
46
Bridgeton City
Robert Knapp
47
Old Bridge
Jose A. Velasquez
20
Clifton
Jasmyn E. Oliver
20
Union Twp.
Robert J. Rowe 2nd
33
Union Twp.
Arrested on 04/13/12:
Name
Age
Town
Joseph Marella
42
Passaic
Christopher Guzman
32
Camden
Asaf Guttman
39
Bloomfield
Jared Pacifici
27
Manalapan
Joshua Ferreri
25
West Berlin
John Mulligan
41
Ocean City
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