Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal announced that a Union County man was convicted at trial today of using a file-sharing network to share Explicit Images of Minors over the internet from his laptop computer, which contained more than 1,400 images and videos of Explicit Images of Minors. Police arrested him in 2014 in Operation Predator Alert, a multi-agency Explicit Images of Minors sweep.
According to authorities Jerrel D. Harris, 32, of Elizabeth, was found guilty by a Union County jury of second-degree distribution of Explicit Images of Minors, second-degree offering Explicit Images of Minors (storing or maintaining Explicit Images of Minors using a file-sharing program), and third-degree possession of Explicit Images of Minors.
The verdict followed a two-week trial before Superior Court Judge Daniel R. Lindemann in Elizabeth. Second-degree crimes carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison.
Officials added that Harris will be subject to registration as a sex offender under Megan’s Law and parole supervision for life. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 16.
Detective Abraham Aquino and retired Sgt. Thomas Turley were lead investigators for the Division of Criminal Justice, working with a special agent of ICE Homeland Security Investigations. Harris was one of 28 defendants charged in Operation Predator Alert, a joint operation by the Division of Criminal Justice and ICE Homeland Security Investigations that targeted offenders in New Jersey who used a file-sharing network to distribute Explicit Images of Minors online.
“Offenders like Harris who share Explicit Images of Minors online perpetuate the victimization of the children who are sexually assaulted to produce these vile materials, and they further motivate those who commit these horrific assaults,” said Attorney General Grewal. “Protecting children is our highest priority, and we will continue to collaborate across all levels of law enforcement to send these offenders to prison. I commend our attorneys and trial team, as well as all of the investigators who helped secure this verdict.”
A detective who was monitoring the file-sharing network downloaded a video of a girl, believed to be 2 to 4 years of age, being raped by an adult male. The video was in a shared folder at an IP address that was traced to Harris. On July 14, 2014, detectives of the Division of Criminal Justice, assisted by the New Jersey State Police, Elizabeth Police and other law enforcement agencies, executed a search warrant at Harris’ residence in Elizabeth.
Investigators seized a laptop computer that was found to contain Explicit Images of Minors. A full forensic examination of the laptop by ICE Homeland Security Investigations revealed more than 1,400 images and videos of Explicit Images of Minors.
Attorney General Grewal and Director Honig urged anyone with information about the distribution of Explicit Images of Minors on the internet – or about suspected improper contact by unknown persons communicating with children via the internet or possible exploitation or sexual abuse of children – to please contact the New Jersey Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Tip line at 888-648-6007.