By: Najla Alexander
A federal grand jury indicted a Morris County, New Jersey, man for allegedly possessing and distributing explicit images of minors' sexual abuse, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger reported today according to officials.
Morris County authorities say Anselmo Girimonte, 52, of Wharton, New Jersey, is charged by indictment with one count of possession of explicit images of minors and one count of distribution of explicit photos of minors.
He will be arraigned at a date to be determined, officials reported.
Officials say Girimonte was arrested on a criminal complaint on this conduct on March 4, 2022, and consented to detention.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
According to officials from December 27, 2021, through January 17, 2022, Girimonte distributed material containing images and video files of underaged individuals sexual abuse via a publicly available online peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing network of linked computers.
Law enforcement officers conducted undercover online sessions to access the P2P program, and officials said during these sessions, a user shared multiple video files of prepubescent minors being sexually abused by adults from an internet address traced to Girimonte’s residence.
Authorities said on March 2, 2022, law enforcement officers lawfully obtained a cell phone from Girimonte’s residence that contained hundreds of images and videos of explicit images of minors, including photos of prepubescent minors being sexually abused.
The count of explicit images of minors pornography carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
The count of distribution of explicit images of minors carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a fine of $250,000.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, New Jersey Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s indictment officials said.
He also thanked officials, say, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, the Rockaway Township Police Department, and the United States Postal Inspection Service for their assistance with the investigation.