By: Richard L. Smith
A Lakewood resident today admitted coercing a minor into producing images of child sexual abuse, U.S Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Federal officials said Samuel Schwinger, 37, Lakewood, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Georgette Castner in Trenton federal court to an information charging him with one count of sexual exploitation of a minor.
According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court:
In March 2019, the suspect used an internet-based application to communicate with the victim, who was under the age of 12.
Schwinger asked the victim to make sexually explicit videos of the victim and send them to him.
Schwinger admitted that from October 2018 through April 5, 2019, he communicated with more than 25 minor victims to produce and distribute sexually explicit material.
The charge of sexual exploitation of a minor carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 27, 2023.