79 charged with child porn, preying on kids in 'Operation Safety Net'

TRENTON - An Air Force officer, youth minister and a police officer were among 76 adults and three juveniles arrested on charges they preyed on children, including the possession or distribution of child pornography.

Dozens of local, county and state agencies coordinated to arrest suspects from all 21 of New Jersey's counties, according to an announcement from the Office of the Attorney General.

The arrests came at the end of a nine-month operation the state named Operation Safety Net

"We charged 10 men with hands-on predatory conduct against children, including attempted interstate trafficking of children for sex, sexual assault, luring, sending obscene images to a child, or manufacturing child pornography," Attorney General Christopher Porrino said in a prepared statement. "These cases highlight the fact that child pornography is a continuum of deviant behavior that often leads to or drives other sex crimes."

State troopers headed up the New Jersey Regional Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.

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The task force used two new assets in tracking down and arresting the suspects — an electronics-detecting dog and a mobile forensics van, according to Friday's announcement. The dog sniffed out devices like thumb drives and forensic examiners used the van to examine hardware at the times and places that officers executed search warrants.

In the past, federal agents have enlisted tech support workers to help search for child pornographers. Learn more in the video at the top of this article.

"Such forensic previewing can result in the immediate arrest of individuals who otherwise might be left to continue direct illicit sexual contact with minors, preventing further abuse of victims," according to Friday's announcement.

Authorities believe that:

Four New Jersey men tried luring children for sex.

One camp counselor sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl "under his supervision."

One youth minister sent lewd photos of himself to a young girl.

One 24-year-old man "allegedly used a phone app to record underage girls performing sex acts on themselves."

The suspects ranged in age from 14 to 75.

The suspects included a U.S. Air Force captain, a Trenton police officer, a swimming coach and a piano teacher.

One suspect may have had over 1 million files of child porn.

At least one of the suspects is a registered sex offender. He has been living in the Bayshore area of Monmouth County.

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These two men tried to have children trafficked to them from New Jersey for sex, according to the announcement:

George Castillo, 36, of Inglewood, California, is facing "federal charges of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity and production of child pornography" plus a state charge of child sex trafficking after soliciting an undercover state police detective and an undercover Washington, D.C. detective to arrange to send him 4- and 9-year-old girls for sex.

Joseph Donohew, 26, of Brownsburg, Indiana, is facing charges there of attempted child molestation after allegedly offering an undercover New Jersey State Police detective money online to arrange sex with a 9-year-old girl. "The undercover represented that he had a daughter, 9, and Donohew allegedly sent him $100 as a down payment to bring the girl to Indiana for sex." When he went to meet the "girl" and her "father," authorities arrested him. "He had purchased a nightgown for the girl depicting characters from a Disney movie he believed was her favorite."

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These eight New Jerseyans were also charged with "hands-on" offenses, according to the announcement:

William Esker, 22, of Bayonne, is charged with aggravated criminal sexual contact , providing obscene material to a child and child endangerment. Hudson County authorities believe that Esker, a camp counselor, had sex with a 14-year-old camper. He was charged Sept. 7.

Air Force Capt. Donald Beckwith, 34, of Brown Mills, is facing charges in Delaware of sexual solicitation of a minor and attempting to commit unlawful sexual contact with a minor. Stationed in New Jersey, Beckwith engaged a 14-year-old girl in "sexual conversations" via an "online chat group for children" and twice met the girl in Delaware, touching her during one visit and inviting her to watch a movie in the back of his car in the other. State police arrested him Aug. 16.

Michael DeBlock, 22, of Hopatcong, is charged with possessing child pornography and conveying obscene materials to a child. DeBlock, a youth minister, sent sexual photos to a 14-year-old girl, "including a photo of his penis."

Brandon Morris, 24, of Hammonton, is charged with manufacturing and possessing child pornography, child endangerment by sexual conduct and conveying obscene materials to a child after allegedly recording underage girls performing sex acts on themselves via FaceTime.

A 17-year-old student from Bergen County, whose name is not being released due to his juvenile status, was arrested on Aug. 17 and charged by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office with manufacturing, distributing and possessing child pornography, as well as invasion of privacy. The juvenile allegedly had over 1,000 files of suspected child pornography on his electronic devices, including video recordings he allegedly made by hiding his smartphone in a private bathroom in order to record underage boys who were nude, showering or urinating.

Craig Kirschner, 39, of Marlboro, was arrested on Aug. 21 and charged by the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office with luring a child, attempted sexual assault of a minor, and conveying obscene material to a minor. Kirschner allegedly solicited an undercover detective, whom he believed to be a 15-year-old male, to meet for oral sex. The detective was monitoring a mobile app when he encountered Kirschner. After the undercover detective identified himself as a 15-year-old boy, Kirschner allegedly sent him photos of an erect penis, asked him to meet for oral sex, and stated “I can be generous for your trouble.”

Isaac Toney, 40, of Trenton was arrested on July 17 by the New Jersey State Police and charged with luring a child. He allegedly used a mobile app to solicit an undercover detective, whom he believed was a 14-year-old male, for oral sex. He was arrested at Veterans Park in Hamilton, Mercer County, where he allegedly was to meet the “boy” for a sexual encounter.

Robert Elmi, 63, of Gillette, was arrested by the New Jersey State Police on Nov. 9 on a charge of luring a child. Elmi had placed an ad on Craigslist soliciting a relationship with a younger female. An undercover State Police detective responded, posing as a young girl and indicating to Elmi that she was 13. Elmi allegedly communicated with the “13-year-old” for several weeks by text and email, ultimately arranging to meet her at a diner. He allegedly told the “girl” he would take her back to his apartment, where they would drink, watch TV, kiss and perform oral sex on each other. Elmi was arrested by the State Police at the diner.

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Eleven people, whose identifying information is below, were apprehended but not yet charged under existing child pornography laws in New Jersey, and instead qualify as second-degree "super-possessors" under a new law that strengthens penalties for people convicted of child pornography possession or distribution.

The new law is scheduled to go into effect in 2018.

In a statement from the office of the state attorney, officials described the nature of the offenses against these 11 people, but said they had not yet levied criminal charges.

The alleged "super-possessors" are below:

William Camargo, 48, of Millington, an IT professional, allegedly had more than 138,000 files of suspected child pornography, and possibly more than one million files. Authorities said full forensic exams have to be done on Camargo's computer equipment.

Callen Kapschock, 55, of Hamilton, a mechanic, allegedly had more than 10,000 files of suspected child pornography.

Md F. Uddin, 43, of Elizabeth, an engineer, allegedly had more than 5,000 files of suspected child pornography.

Kody Knotts, 22, of Millville, along with his two brothers immediately below, allegedly had a combined total of nearly 5,000 files of suspected child pornography;

Alexander Knotts, 27, of Millville.

Kyle Knotts, 23, of Millville.

Laurence Duque, 42, of Dayton, allegedly had over 4,000 files of suspected child pornography.

Gregory Piszczek, 35, of Woodbridge, an IT professional, allegedly had over 4,000 files of suspected child pornography.

Kevin Groeger, 63, of Cranford, a postal worker, allegedly had over 2,000 files of suspected child pornography.

Pasquale “Charles” Albano, 75, of Point Pleasant, allegedly had over 1,000 files of suspected child pornography.

A Bergen County 17-year-old, referenced above, allegedly had over 1,000 files of suspected child pornography.

Also charged are:

Paul Marinelli, 52, of South Brunswick, a Trenton police officer, charged with possession of child pornography.

James Cutrone, 54, of Hazlet, a youth swim coach, charged with distribution of child pornography.

Bryan San Andreas, 37, of Toms River, a piano teacher, charged with possession of child pornography.

John Parsons, 50, of Vineland, charged with possession of child pornography.

Donald Williams, 39, of Camden, charged with distribution of child pornography.

Kevin Wenng, 35, of Cliffwood Beach, charged with possession of child pornography; Wenng has already been convicted of child endangerment and is a registered sex offender.

Victor Kurynow, 58, of Bedminster, charged with attempted possession of child pornography and conveying obscene materials to a minor.

Paul Fuhs, 44, of Laurel Springs, charged with possession of child pornography.

Ryan Stemetzki, 26, of Maple Shade, charged with possession and distribution of child pornography.

Robert Ruff, 56, of Delran, charged with possession of child pornography.

Robert King, 63, of North Wildwood, charged with possession and distribution of child pornography.

Jason Locke, 42, of Manchester, charged with possession of child pornography.

Stephen Slawinski, 60, of Morris Plains, charged with possession and distribution of child pornography.

Herbert Ferreira, 43, of Dover, charged with possession and distribution of child pornography.

Joseph Maruca, 26, of Berkeley, charged with possession of child pornography.

James Gilbertson, 60, of Manchester, charged with possession of child pornography.

Christopher Todd, 49, of Lyndhurst, charged with possession and distribution of child pornography.

Alexis Gonzalez, 28, of Hackensack, charged with possession of child pornography.

Raul Rodriguez, 33, of Jersey City, charged with possession of child pornography.

Dhanendhran Govender, 32, of East Windsor, charged with possession and distribution of child pornography.

Luis Pacheco-Loja, 30, of Belleville, charged with possession and distribution of child pornography.

Robert White, 66, of Morristown, charged with possession and distribution of child pornography.

Jonathan Latiff 40, of Jersey City, charged with possession and distribution of child pornography.

Anthony Gerace, 43, of Egg Harbor Township, charged with distribution of child pornography.

Antonio Baang, 26, of Galloway Township, charged with possession of child pornography.

Richard Lake, 65, of Trenton, charged with possession and distribution of child pornography.

Federico Flores, 29, of Rahway, charged with possession and distribution of child pornography.

James Agin, 69, of Westwood, charged with possession and distribution of child pornography.

Fortino Rosales-Rodriguez, 22, of Oaklyn, charged with possession of child pornography.

Justin Saavedra, 22, of Clifton, charged with distribution of child pornography.

Daniel Braz, 39, of South River, N.J., charged with possession and distribution of child pornography.

Nelson Cintron, Jr., 54, of Collingswood, charged with possession and distribution of child pornography.

Michael Brown, 28, of Pennsauken, charged with possession and distribution of child pornography.

Erik Baez, 38, of Sicklerville, charged with possession and distribution of child pornography.

Larry Gonzalez, 45, of Elizabeth, charged with possession and distribution of child pornography.

Erik Johnson, 49, charged by Union County Prosecutor’s Office with possession and distribution of child pornography.

Marco Biason, 68, of Dover, charged with possession of child pornography.

Brian Neilson, 55, of Metuchen, charged with possession of child pornography.

Thomas Smith, 54, of Woodstown, charged with possession and distribution of child pornography.

Zachary Brawer, 31, of Paramus, charged with possession and distribution of child pornography.

Brian J. Gardner, 74, of Nutley, charged with possession and distribution of child pornography.

John T. Ruffner, 37, of Lumberton, charged with possession of child pornography.

John Skubiak, 62, of Deptford, charged with possession and distribution of child pornography.

Nicholas J. Novak, 66, of Ocean (Monmouth County), charged with possession and distribution of child pornography

Eric MacAfee, 41, of Seaside Heights, charged with possession of child pornography.

Jeison Padilla, 29, of Somerville, charged with possession of child pornography and conveying obscene materials to a minor.

Justin England, 31, of North Plainfield, charged with possession and distribution of child pornography.

Eric Yourish, 61, of North Plainfield, charged with possession of child pornography.

Christopher Dunham, 22, of Rockaway, charged with possession and distribution of child pornography.

Justin Piccola, 23, of Randolph, charged with possession and distribution of child pornography.

Nicolas Bencze, 36, of Maywood, charged with possession and distribution of child pornography.

Michael Yosco, 70, of Garfield, charged with possession of child pornography.

Male Juvenile, age 14, of Bergen County, charged with possession of child pornography.

Julio Garcia, 29, of Bridgeton, charged with possession and distribution of child pornography.

Joseph Lawitz, 34, of Hamilton (Mercer County), charged with possession of child pornography.

James Livas, 22, of Hopatcong, charged with possession and distribution of child pornography.

Robert Fuscarino, 27, of Hopatcong, charged with possession and distribution of child pornography.

Donovan Roots, 19, of Pilesgrove, charged with possession and distribution of child pornography.

The following agencies worked on the sweep:

U.S. Homeland Security Investigations

New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice

New Jersey State Police

Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office

Bayonne Police Department

Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office

Berkeley Township Police Department

Brick Police Department

Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office

Camden County Prosecutor’s Office

Camden County Sheriff’s Office

Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office

Collingswood Police Department

Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office

Egg Harbor Township Police Department

Essex County Prosecutor’s Office

Galloway Township Police Department

Gloucester City Police Department

Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office

Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office

Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office

Manchester Police Department

Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office

Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office

Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office

Morris County Prosecutor’s Office

Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office

Passaic County Sheriff’s Department

Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office

Pennsauken Police Department

Rahway Police Department

Salem County Prosecutor’s Office

Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office

South River Police Department

Springfield Police Department

Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office

Toms River Police Department

Township of Hamilton Police Department

Union County Prosecutor’s Office

Warren County Prosecutor’s Office

Winslow Township Police Department

U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia

Metropolitian Police Department - FBI Child Exploitation Task Force (Washington, D.C.)

U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California

Los Angeles (California) Police Department

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Brownsburg (Indiana) Police Department

Indiana State Police

Hendricks County (Indiana) Prosecutor's Office

Alex N. Gecan: 732-643-4043; agecan@gannettnj.com

Contributing: Katie Park