COURT HOUSE – Cape May County Prosecutor Robert L. Taylor and Wildwood Crest Police Captain Joseph McGrath announce the arrest of Eric Garnett, 30, of Wildwood Crest, for possession of child pornography, a crime of the third degree, and distribution of child pornography, a crime of the second degree.
This investigation stemmed from a CyberTip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that reported an unknown subject uploaded videos/images of suspected child pornography from a personal account. This investigation resulted in a search warrant execution on April 13 at a residence in the 100 block East Rosemary in Wildwood Crest by members of the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and the Wildwood Crest Police Department. During the on-site forensic preview of the computers, multiple files of suspected child pornography were located. Several computers in Garnett’s residence were seized as evidence. Garnett was arrested April 13, and charged with the above listed charges, and released on a summons pending court.
Prosecutor Taylor would like to recognize the Homeland Security Investigations (ICE- Division), and the New Jersey State Police, Digital Technology Unit for their assistance in this investigation.
Prosecutor Taylor advises that individuals charged with a second degree crime are subject to a term of imprisonment of five to ten years, and individuals charged with a third degree crime are subject to a term of imprisonment of three to five years in New Jersey State Prison.
This investigation is part of the ongoing effort by the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office and the (ICAC) Task Force, to identify those involved in the child pornography trade. Prosecutor Taylor continues to urge the citizens of Cape May County to report any information regarding child exploitation or any criminal activity within the community, and that information can be reported anonymously through the Cape May County Sheriff’s Tip Line at cmcsheriff.nat and click on anonymous tip, or through the Cape May County Crime Stoppers at 609465-2800 or 877-465- 2801, or to the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-465-1135.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty. This report is based on information received from the Prosecutor’s Office.
