By: Richard L. Smith
Acting Mercer County Prosecutor Theresa L. Hilton announced on Thursday that an investigation into online child exploitation has led to the arrest of an 18-year-old Hamilton man.
Gerald Keener has been charged with multiple offenses, including one count of second-degree distribution of explicit material aimed at minors (CSAM), one count of second-degree possession with intent to distribute CSAM, and one count of third-degree possession of CSAM.
The Mercer County Prosecutor's Office has filed a motion to detain Keener pending trial.
The investigation began after detectives from the prosecutor’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children indicating that an individual in Mercer County was distributing material depicting the explicit exploitation of children.
The investigation quickly identified Keener as a suspect.
On August 29, 2024, detectives from the ICAC Unit, with support from the Hamilton Police SWAT Team, executed a search warrant at Keener’s residence in Hamilton.
During the search, multiple items of evidentiary value were seized, and Keener was arrested without incident.
Following his arrest, authorities discovered that Keener was employed as a counselor at the Hamilton YMCA.
If convicted, Keener could face significant prison time.
Second-degree crimes carry a sentence of five to ten years in state prison and fines up to $150,000, while third-degree crimes carry a sentence of three to five years and fines up to $15,000.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the prosecutor’s Special Victims Unit at (609) 989-6568 or via email at mcposvu@mercercounty.org.
Acting Prosecutor Hilton also encouraged anyone with information about suspected online exploitation or improper contact with children to reach out to the ICAC Unit at (609) 989-6568 or the New Jersey Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force tip line at (888) 648-6007.