NEWARK, N.J. – An Essex County, New Jersey, man was indicted today on a charge of distributing and possessing images of child sexual abuse, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
According to federal officials Keith Voolgaris, 62, of Newark, is charged by indictment with one count of distributing explicit images of minors and one count of possessing explicit images of minors . Voolgaris was initially charged by complaint in September 2019.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Between July 21, 2017, and Sept. 8, 2017, Voolgaris distributed and possessed at least 50 videos depicting the sexual abuse of minors, including prepubescent children.
He used a “chat” website to send numerous messages to another explicit images of minors distributor in Minnesota. Many of those messages contained links to Dropbox files that were found to contain images of child sexual abuse. A subsequent search of Voolgaris’ email accounts revealed numerous additional videos and images of child sexual abuse.
Voolgaris has prior convictions for receiving or distributing explicit images of minors and for possession of explicit images of minors . Accordingly, the charge of distribution of child explicit images of minors by a repeat offender carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of 40 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The charge of possession of explicit images of minors depicting prepubescent children by a repeat offender carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark, with the investigation leading to the charges.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah A. Sulkowski of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Cybercrime Unit in Newark.
The charge and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.