TRENTON, N.J. – A Toms River, New Jersey, man was arrested today on charges that he distributed images of child sexual abuse over a social media application, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
David Nelson, 43, is charged by complaint with one count of distributing child pornography. Nelson appeared this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Douglas E. Arpert in Trenton federal court and was detained.
According to the complaint, 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.’
Law enforcement agents recovered more than two dozen images depicting child sexual abuse that ‘candicesloan1995’ – later revealed to be Nelson – had disseminated over a Kik chat group between Oct. 24, 2017 and Oct. 26, 2017. Nelson allegedly used his personal cell phone to access Kik and disseminate images of child pornography to others over Kik chat groups.
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.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited FBI special agents of the Franklin Township Resident Agency, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Bradley W. Cohen in Newark, FBI special agents under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Amy S. Hess in Louisville, and FBI special agents under the direction of Special Agent in Charge David P. Gelios in Detroit, with the investigation. He also thanked the Toms River Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Mitchell A. Little, for its assistance.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Brendan Day of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Trenton.
The charge and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Defense counsel: Andrea D. Bergman, Assistant Federal Public Defender, Trenton
Mandatory Facts:
* Defendant: David Nelson
* Criminal Charges: One count of distributing child pornography
* City and State: Toms River, New Jersey
* Date: No specific date mentioned, however the distribution occurred between Oct. 24, 2017 and Oct. 26, 2017
* Sentence or Outcome: Nelson was detained and faces a minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine
* Dollar Amounts: $250,000 fine
Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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