A Toms River man today admitted distributing images of child sexual abuse over a social media application, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
According to authorities, David Nelson, 44, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Freda L. Wolfson in Trenton federal court to an information charging him with distribution of images exploiting children for sexual stimulation.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
As a result of an investigation conducted by the FBI Louisville, Kentucky, field office, law enforcement officers arrested an individual after he offered to broadcast the sexual abuse of his daughter over Kik Messenger to an undercover officer. A search of his cell phone revealed chat group communications between that individual and another Kik user operating under the user name “candicesloan1995,” which was later revealed to be Nelson.
According to authorities, police arrested Nelson on April 9th. Nelson admitted today that between Oct. 24, 2017 and Oct. 26, 2017, he used his Kik account under the user name “candicesloan1995” to transmit at least 26 images exploiting children for sexual stimulation to another Kik user. Nelson also admitted that he was an administrator of multiple Kik chat rooms in which child pornography was shared and discussed.
The distribution charge carries a minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 19, 2018.