By: Richard L. Smith
Christopher Carvajal, a 30-year-old resident of North Bergen, has entered a guilty plea in a federal court regarding the possession of explicit images of minors, a disclosure made by U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.
The plea was registered before U.S. District Judge Claire C. Cecchi in the Newark federal court following an indictment that charged Carvajal with one count of possession of explicit images of minors.
Federal officials said the legal proceedings unraveled a disturbing collection in Carvajal's possession.
In April 2023, authorities confiscated Carvajal's iPhone at Newark International Airport, leading to a distressing discovery.
The device housed over 900 video files and more than 400 image files, all depicting the explicit contact of minors, including very young children. The device also contained communications that revealed Carvajal's discussions about his desire for explicit contact with minors.
Notably, this is not Carvajal's first encounter with the law on such grave matters; he had a prior conviction in the Superior Court of New Jersey for a similar offense.
The gravity of the offense is mirrored in the legal consequences Carvajal now faces. For an individual with a previous conviction related to explicit images of minors, the law mandates a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison.
The maximum penalty can extend to 20 years in prison, accompanied by a fine of up to $250,000.
The final chapter of this case is set to unfold on May 24, 2024, when Carvajal is scheduled for sentencing, marking a significant moment in the fight against the exploitation of minors.