Rodney Klemt, Possession of Child Pornography, New Jersey 2020

Rodney Klemt, a 34-year-old Wayne, New Jersey resident, pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography, a crime that could land him in prison for nearly two decades. In June 2020, agents with the Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations approached Klemt at his residence after receiving information that Klemt had accessed a website containing child pornography.

Law enforcement subsequently discovered over 70 images and videos depicting child sexual abuse on Klemt’s laptop computer.

Klemt was previously convicted of endangering the welfare of a child/distribution of child pornography in Essex County in 2014. The charge of possession of child pornography, for a repeat offender, carries a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison, a maximum of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.

Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig credited special agents with the DHS-HSI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jason J. Molina in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn Barnes of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court, Klemt pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Katharine S. Hayden on September 14, 2021, to an information charging him with one count of possession of child pornography. Sentencing is scheduled for January 19, 2022.

With this guilty plea, Klemt is one step closer to facing the consequences of his actions. His possession of child pornography is a serious offense that has devastating effects on the victims and their families.

Related Federal Cases