NEWARK, N.J. - Special agents of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations (ICE HSI) arrested a Bergen County man at his home this morning after discovering alleged child pornography on his computer, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
Joshua Babilonia, 23, of Fair Lawn, N.J., is charged by complaint with one count of distributing images of child sex abuse over the Internet. Babilonia appeared this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph A. Dickson in Newark federal court and was released on a $50,000 bond. He is subject to electronic monitoring and is to have no access to children as a condition of his release.
According to the criminal complaint unsealed today:
On May 27, 2012, Babilonia distributed videos depicting child sexual abuse on the Internet via peer-to-peer file sharing software, through which other users had access. Special agents of the ICE HSI executed a search warrant on Sept. 13, 2012, at his residence in Fair Lawn, seizing digital evidence that contained numerous videos depicting child sexual abuse, including material involving prepubescent minors and sadistic or masochistic conduct. The digital evidence seized included three files previously downloaded from Babilonia by law enforcement agents working in an undercover capacity on the peer-to-peer network.
Babilonia faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison, and a maximum $250,000 fine.
U.S. Attorney Fishman thanked special agents of ICE HSI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Andrew M. McLees in Newark, for the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Danielle M. Corcione of the U.S. Attorney’s Office General Crimes Unit in Newark.
The charge and allegations contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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Defense counsel: Assistant Federal Public Defender Patrick McMahon Esq., Newark
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
