Lindenwold Man Among 27 from NJ Busted in Child Porn Sting

Editor's Note: One or more names in this report have been redacted in light of additional documentation provided regarding this case.

Last week state police apprehended 27 New Jerseyans from 26 different towns, including a Lindenwold man, on charges of possessing and distributing child pornography.

Another three individuals are still being sought in connection with the case, authorities said in announcing the arrests on Tuesday.

The sting, dubbed "Operation Watchdog," comprised officers from 21 law enforcement agencies as well as the Digital Technology Investigations Unit of the state police.

Police turned over to the FBI the evidence with which they caught the suspects, who were located by a "digital fingerprint" tracking system that embedded a traceable code within the pornographic files they shared.

Seven Camden County area residents were arrested in five days, including:

• Cesar Salgado-Maya, 23, of Audubon
• Lucas F. Walsh, 24, of Maple Shade
• William J. Brooks, 66, of Pennsauken
• Joshua Ferreri, 25, of Berlin Township
• Ryan Taylor, 27, of Lindenwold
• Christopher Guzman, 32, of Camden
• A 17-year-old Moorestown male, unnamed because he is a juvenile.

Salgado-Maya had been living near a daycare center on the White Horse Pike when he was arrested. Police allegedly discovered Brooks operating a file-sharing program used to distribute child pornography when he was served with his warrant.

“We must banish the misguided notion that online viewing and sharing of child pornography is a victimless crime,” said Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa. “The vulnerable children who are tortured and degraded to create these vile materials are re-victimized every time another person views the images."

Sentencing for such crimes ranges in severity. Possession of child pornography is punishable by up to 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine; distribution is a second-degree crime that carries with it a penalty of five to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.

If convicted of the charges, each of the 27 would be required to register as a sex offender for a period of no less than 15 years.

“Let the word go out that those who share child pornography over the Internet are also sharing the evidence of their crimes with computer experts from law enforcement, who are patrolling the Internet to stop this tragic victimization of children,” said Stephen J. Taylor, director of the state Division of Criminal Justice.

The following individual was arrested on April 11, 2012 and charged with sexual assault, manufacturing child pornography, and distribution and possession of child pornography:

Name

Age

Town

Bernard Cahill

43

Folsom

The following individuals were charged with distribution and possession of child pornography:

Arrested on 03/01/12:

Name

Age

Town

Cesar Salgado-Maya

23

Audubon

Arrested on 04/09/12:

Name

Age

Town

Charles E Jones

50

Morristown

Ryan Taylor

27

Lindenwold

Jeremy Gardner

18

Livingston

Joshua Kane

31

Wayne

Max Mejia

46

Atlantic City

Juvenile Male

17

Moorestown

Arrested on 04/10/12:

Name

Age

Town

William J. Brooks

66

Pennsauken

Lucas Francis Walsh

24

Maple Shade

David Ingoglia

36

Byram

Scott Hersh

43

Mount Arlington

(name removed)

John Thomas Kondes

56

Bayonne

Andrew Rodriguez

27

Park Ridge

Arrested on 04/12/12:

Name

Age

Town

Collin Tillett

29

Hamilton (Atlantic Co.)

Armondo Flores

46

Bridgeton City

Robert Knapp

47

Old Bridge

Jose A. Velasquez

20

Clifton

Jasmyn E. Oliver

20

Union Twp.

Robert J. Rowe 2nd

33

Union Twp.

Arrested on 04/13/12:

Name

Age

Town

Joseph Marella

42

Passaic

Christopher Guzman

32

Camden

Asaf Guttman

39

Bloomfield

Jared Pacifici

27

Manalapan

Joshua Ferreri

25

West Berlin

John Mulligan

41

Ocean City