AG Christopher Porrino announced that a Monmouth County man has been arrested for allegedly using a file-sharing network to distribute an estimated 100 images and videos of child pornography over the Internet from his home computer.
Submitted by Emily-Staff Writer
Steven Robinson, a 48 year old male, was charged with second-degree distribution and third-degree possession of child porn. Robinson was booked in the Monmouth County jail, and a grand jury is expected to review the charges, which Porrino said have risen to the level of an indictment.
A detective with the Division of Criminal Justice’s Financial & Computer Crimes Bureau, Computer Analysis and Technology Unit was able to trace pornographic videos involving pre-pubescent girls back to Robinson’s home using his computer IP address.
The unnamed detective was also able to find videos by monitoring an online file-sharing network popular with people who download and trade child porn. Authorities from the Division of Criminal Justice — assisted by the Neptune City Police Department and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office — used a search warrant to enter Robinson’s home, seize his personal technology and arrest Robinson.
If convicted of the 2nd degree crime, Robinson faces a five to ten year state prison sentence and a fine of $15,000.
A 2013 ruling toughened punishment for people found possessing or distributing child porn. If you share 25 or more files of child porn, the rule imposes a mandatory minimum of five years of parole ineligibility. A person convicted for possession of at least 25 files of child porn in a shared folder is compelled to serve a minimum of five years in state prison without parole. In addition, under the new law, possession of 100 or more files of child pornography carries a presumption that the defendant will face a prison term of three to five years, whether or not the defendant has any prior criminal convictions.
“With arrests such as this one, we’re putting those who share child pornography via the Internet on notice that their activities are being monitored by law enforcement and they will face serious punishment if caught,†said Director Elie Honig of the Division of Criminal Justice. “We want these offenders to know that the next search warrant we execute may be at their house.â€
The charges against Robinson are only accusations and are to be presented to a grand jury, he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
