A previously convicted sex offender from Bellmawr today admitted possessing images of explicit images of minors that he acquired through social media and email correspondence with two boys, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
Robert Pelle, 50, pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Jerome B. Simandle in Camden federal court to an information charging him with one count of knowingly possessing explicit images of minors.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From April 2013 through July 2013, Pelle was still on supervised release and state parole after being incarcerated for possession of explicit images of minors and related state charges from 2007. Pelle admitted today that in July 2013, he used a public library computer to access social networks and sexually explicit websites, which he was not permitted to do under conditions of his parole.
In addition, Pelle admitted that from April 2013 through July 2013, he used social media accounts and email to pose as a minor and communicate with two young boys. During the correspondence, Pelle asked one boy to send nude images of himself, which he did. Pelle also admitted sending one of those images to the other boy.
As a previously convicted sex offender, Pelle faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison, a lifetime of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.
Pelle also faces an additional five years in prison because the crime was committed while on federal supervised release.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 6, 2016.