Somerset County officials announced the arrest of Siddh B. Shah, 18, of Hillsborough.
Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson stated that the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) notified the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office of an apparent upload of explicit images of minors.
According to Prosecutor Robertson, an investigation was thereafter initiated by the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigations/Computer Crimes Unit.
The investigation revealed that defendant Shah was suspected of uploading numerous explicit images/videos of minors.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that on September 30, at approximately 6:30 am, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Detectives, along with members of the Hillsborough Township Police Department and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, executed a search warrant at defendant Shah’s residence.
According to Prosecutor Robertson, as a result of the search, electronic devices, including computers, were seized for further computer forensic examination.
An initial forensic examination of these devices revealed over 200 images depicting the sexual exploitation or abuse of a minor. Additionally, the investigation revealed that the defendant was offering files of sexual exploitation of minors for sale via social media applications.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that as a result of this investigation, on September 30, defendant Shah was arrested without incident at his residence, and he was charged with Possession of Explicit Images of Minors with Intent to Distribute and Possession of Explicit Images of Minors.
Defendant Shah was lodged in the Somerset County Jail, where he will remain pending a detention hearing in this matter.
Somerset County officials request anyone with information relating to this investigation to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Special Investigations Unit/Computer Crimes Unit at (908) 231-7100 or the Hillsborough Township Police Department at (908) 369-4323.
Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477).
All anonymous Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.