Colts Neck Man, 21, Faces Child Pornography Charge

A 21-year old Colts Neck man surrendered to authorities today to face charges he was the recipient of sexually explicit photographs of a 12-year old girl in Pennsylvania, with whom he had allegedly had an online relationship. 

Chad C. Weber made his initial court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Tonianne J. Bongiovanni in Trenton federal court Tuesday on a charge of receiving child pornography. 

Law enforcement authorities said the alleged relationship between Weber and the girl started in February, 2013 and came to their attention two months later. Investigators looked at chat logs and Internet-based messages, many of which were sexually explicit, to construct their case. In some of the communications over sexually explicit photos they shared with each other, law enforcement said that Weber acknowledged the victim's age. 

Special agents executed a search warrant at his home on August 15, 2013, at which time they said Weber confessed to "sexting" with the 12-year old. According to the complaint, Weber admitted to law enforcement that he requested and received naked photos of the girl via an instant messaging platform on his cell phone. Investigators say Weber received at least 18 sexually explicit photos of the girl. Investigators also say he sent sexually explicit photos of himself to the girl. 

Weber was released on $100,000 bond and will be subject to home detention with electronic monitoring, no possession or use of computers and no contact with minors unless in the presence of a parent or guardian who is notified about this case, according to the Office of the Attorney General. 

If a defendant is convicted, the charge of receiving child pornography carries a mandatory minimum term of five years in prison and a maximum of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. 

The case involved special agents of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Andrew M. McLees in Newark.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas P. Grippo of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Trenton. Defense Counsel is Brian P. Reilly, Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Trenton.

Despite the charge, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.