A Gloucester County man admitted possessing images and videos of child explicit content, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.
According to Federal officials, Joseph Cooper, 76, of Williamstown, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Renée Marie Bumb on Sept. 13, 2023, to an information charging him with one count of possession of explicit images of minors.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
In October 2020, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Cooper’s residence. They discovered computers containing more than 50 videos and 200 images of Explicit Images of Minors, including depictions of prepubescent minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
The computers also contained logs documenting Cooper’s participation in internet chatrooms relating to sexual interest in children.
Because Cooper has been convicted previously of interstate transport of explicit images of minors by computer and cruelty and neglect of a child, the charge of possession of explicit photos of minors depicting prepubescent children carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 17, 2023.