Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino announced that a Monmouth County man has been arrested for allegedly using a file-sharing network to distribute approximately 100 images and videos of Explicit Images of Minors over the Internet from his home computer.
Steven Robinson, 48, of Neptune City, was arrested yesterday at his home by detectives of the Division of Criminal Justice, assisted by the Neptune City Police Department and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.
He was charged with second-degree distribution of Explicit Images of Minors and third-degree possession of Explicit Images of Minors. Robinson was lodged in the Monmouth County Jail.
Robinson was arrested as a result of an investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice Financial & Computer Crimes Bureau, Computer Analysis & Technology Unit.
A detective was monitoring an online file-sharing network that is popular with offenders who download and trade Explicit Images of Minors. Using advanced technology, the detective searched for telltale digital “fingerprints” of known Explicit Images of Minors.
Through these and other methods, the detective identified a computer address that was sharing Explicit Images of Minors, and, on three separate occasions, successfully downloaded a total of approximately 100 files of Explicit Images of Minors. The files included videos showing pre-pubescent girls being raped or being coerced into performing sexual acts on themselves or others.
The computer address was traced to Robinson’s home in Neptune City. Detectives executed a search warrant at Robinson’s home yesterday, arresting Robinson and seizing computer equipment. The equipment was brought to the Division of Criminal Justice Forensics Laboratory in Hamilton, Mercer County, for a full forensic examination.
Second-degree crimes carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a criminal fine of up to $150,000, while third-degree crimes carry a sentence of three to five years in state prison and a fine of up to $15,000.