On April 20, detectives from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office arrested Paul DeSantis, 53, of Howell, and charged him with six counts of fourth-degree endangering the welfare of a child and six counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child.
According to a press release, the charges are the result of an investigation which was conducted by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office’s Computer Crimes Unit and other agencies.
This investigation began when a detective with the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force discovered that several images of child pornography had been posted to a social networking website from an account registered to an individual in Howell, according to the press release.
The investigation was then referred to the New Jersey ICAC Task Force, which is overseen by the New Jersey State Police. Because the registered account holder was in Howell, the New Jersey State Police, in turn, referred the matter to the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, which is an ICAC affiliate agency.
During the ensuing investigation, the Computer Crimes Unit of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that images and a video were uploaded from a computer in the DeSantis residence.
According to the press release, a lawful search of DeSantis’ residence was conducted on April 20 by members of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Howell Police Department, New Jersey State Police and FBI. The search resulted in the lawful seizure of several computers and other computer related items.
DeSantis was committed to the Monmouth County jail in lieu of $102,500 bail, which was set by state Superior Court Judge Anthony J. Mellaci Jr. Conditions of De- Santis’ bail include a prohibition against using the Internet or having contact with children who are under 18 years of age.
Under New Jersey law, the unlawful possession and distribution of images and videos of child pornography is prohibited by the endangering the welfare of a child statute. If the child pornography is merely unlawfully possessed, the endangering the welfare of a child charge is a fourth-degree crime. If the child pornography is unlawfully distributed, the endangering the welfare of a child charge is a second-degree crime.
If convicted of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, DeSantis faces a maximum potential custodial sentence of up to a 10-year state prison term. If convicted of fourth-degree endangering the welfare of a child, DeSantis faces a maximum potential custodial sentence of up to an 18-month term of imprisonment. If convicted of second degree endangering the welfare of a child, DeSantis will be subject to the registration requirements of Megan’s Law, according to the press release.
The case is assigned to Assistant Monmouth County Prosecutor Kevin M. Clark, director of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office’s Computer Crimes Unit.