Child Pornography Ring Exposed in Morris County

A disturbing case of child pornography has shaken the quiet streets of Whippany, New Jersey. Bryan Wesselius, a 45-year-old resident, has been charged with distributing and possessing videos of child sexual abuse.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court, Wesselius distributed material containing video files of child sexual abuse via a publicly available online peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing program from September 2021 through May 2022. An undercover law enforcement officer conducted online sessions using the (P2P) program, during which multiple files featuring videos of child sexual abuse were shared from an IP address traced to Wesselius’ address. Law enforcement officials later recovered one file previously shared during one of those sessions from one of Wesselius’ electronic devices.

The count of distribution of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a fine of $250,000. The count of possession of child pornography carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, and a fine of $250,000.

Wesselius was released on $100,000 unsecured bond, with home detention and electronic monitoring. He appeared by videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cathy L. Waldor on [date].

U.S. Attorney Philip R. 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 Jason J. Molina, with the investigation leading to the charges. He also thanked the Boonton Township Police Department under the direction of Chief Michael Danyo, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, the Hanover Township Police Department under the direction of Chief Michael Loock and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Newark, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Damon Wood, Philadelphia Division, for their assistance with the investigation.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Clara Kim of the General Crimes Unit in Newark.

The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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