By: Najla Alexander
NJ authorities announced that a Middlesex County man was charged with producing and possessing photos depicting explicit contact Involving Minors.
U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said Anthony Lagotta Jr., 54, of Plainsboro, is charged by complaint with one count each of production and possession of explicit images involving minors.
He had his initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stacey D. Adams in Newark federal court and was detained, officials stated.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Officials said approximately 15 years ago, Lagotta had explicit contact with two minor victims and took photos depicting that abuse.
In July 2022, officials say, Lagotta uploaded approximately 30 of those images to an explicit website hosted on the darknet.
During a search of Lagotta’s residence on Aug. 19, 2024, authorities discovered on Lagotta’s computer approximately 700 images depicting explicit contact with one of those two minor victims, including some of the same images that Lagotta had previously posted on the darknet forum, authorities say.
According to officials, the charge of production of explicit contact with minors carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum potential penalty of 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The charge of possession of explicit images involving minors carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, officials said.