A Stockholm NJ man was sentenced to register as a sex offender under Megan’s Law for downloading and distributing child pornography.
According to authorities, a police investigation in 2013 led to detectives finding a number of pornographic images featuring children on the 26-year-old defendant’s computer. As a result, police seized the man’s computer equipment and placed him under arrest.
The 26-year-old man pleaded guilty in July 2014 to third degree endangering the welfare of a child.
At a sentencing hearing in Sussex County Superior Court in Newton NJ, a judge ordered the defendant to serve 63 days in a home detention program. Moreover, the defendant will also be placed on probation for a period of 3 years.
The defendant was also required to register as a sex offender under Megan’s Law. As a result, he will have to undergo Megan’s Law supervision for life.
The judge also stipulated that the suspect’s seized computer equipment, which contained the pornographic images, will not be returned to him.
NJ prosecutors take child endangerment charges stemming from the possession of child pornography very seriously. Anytime a person downloads and/or distributes child pornography, they create a demand for conduct that places minors at risk of sexual abuse and victimization.
The defendant’s plea deal allowed him to avoid the most serious penalties for a conviction. If the case had gone to trial and resulted in a conviction, the defendant could have ultimately been sentenced to 3–5 years in New Jersey State Prison.
To learn more about this case, access the NJ.com article entitled “Sussex Man Who Had Child Pornography Sentenced to 63 Days Home Detention.”
If you are facing sex crime charges in New Jersey, contact Morristown NJ criminal defense attorney Travis J. Tormey for a free consultation about your case.