By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Somerset County announced the arrest of Jared Kelly, 34, of Somerset, in relation to the possession of Explicit Materials Involving Minors.
Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald stated that the New Jersey State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force notified the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office of multiple Cyber Tipline Reports reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children concerning the same individual possessing videos depicting the explicit abuse and/or exploitation of a minor.
Upon receiving these Cyber Tipline Reports, an investigation was initiated by detectives assigned to the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigations Unit, SCPO officials said.
Somerset County officials announced that the investigation led to the identification of Jared Kelly as the suspect possessing over 300 videos depicting the explicit abuse and/or exploitation of a minor.
Prosecutor McDonald stated on Friday, March 7, detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s OfficeSpecial Investigations Unit, along with members of the FranklinTownship Police Department and the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office, executed a Superior Court search warrant at Kelly’s residence.
As a result of the search warrant, electronic devices were seized for further forensic analysis, SCPO authorities say.
According to Somerset County officials, on Friday, March 7, Jared Kelly was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office.
Defendant Kelly was charged with 2nd-degree Possession of Explicit Materials Involving Minors, Somerset County authorities said.
SCPO officials say defendant Kelly was lodged in the Somerset County Jail and later released.