By: Yuritza Arroyo
Federal officials announced that an Ocean County man made his initial court appearance today on charges of producing and distributing explicit images of minors.
According to officials, Christopher Budelman, 36, Brick, is charged by complaint with two counts of production of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography.
Officials said he made his initial appearance by videoconference and was detained.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
In June 2022, while communicating via an online video chat site, Budelman enticed at least two minors to engage in sexually explicit conduct while he masturbated.
Budelman recorded and saved those video chats on his computer.
According to the authorities, from September 2021 to June 2022, Budelman used two Kik Messenger accounts to send images and videos containing child sexual abuse, including images and videos depicting prepubescent minors, to others.
The charges of sexual exploitation of children each carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of 30 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.
The charge of distribution of child exploitation material carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.