A North Brunswick man has been charged with distributing child pornography after he transmitted an image of child sexual abuse to an undercover agent, authorities said.
Richard Scalea, 59, was arrested by agents of the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force and charged by criminal complaint with one count of distributing child pornography.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court, Scalea communicated with an undercover law enforcement officer via an online incest chat room on Aug. 31, 2017. In that chat, Scalea claimed to have sexually abused a minor child who was known to him. Scalea then distributed an image of child pornography to the undercover law enforcement officer.
Today, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Scalea’s residence and seized computer devices containing multiple images of child sexual abuse.
Anyone with information regarding possible victims of this activity is urged to contact the FBI in Newark at 973-792-3000.
The charge of distributing child pornography carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.
The charge and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Sex CrimesSex CrimesSex CrimesSex Crimes