NORTH CAPE MAY – Cape May County Prosecutor Robert L. Taylor and Lower Township Police Chief William Mastriana announce the arrest of Charles Dodds Jr., 51, of North Cape May, for possession of child pornography and other related charges.
This investigation stemmed from a National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) CyberTip that revealed an unknown subject uploaded images of suspected child pornography via multiple social media sites. This investigation resulted in the execution of a court authorized search warrant on April 6 at Dodds’ residence in North Cape May.
Members of the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crimes Unit, Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Lower Township Police Department assisted in executing this warrant. Several computers and cell phones at the residence were seized as evidence.
As a result of the investigation, Dodds was arrested on April 6 and charged with possession of child pornography, third degree, possession of child pornography with the intent to distribute, second degree, and distribution of child pornography, second degree. Dodds was released on a summons pending court proceedings.
Prosecutor Taylor would like to recognize the Homeland Security Investigations (ICE- Division), New Jersey State Police, Digital Technology Unit and the Lower Township Police Department for their assistance in this investigation.
Taylor advises that individuals charged with a second degree crime are subject to a term of imprisonment of five to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison, and individuals charged with a third degree crime are subject to a term of imprisonment of three to five years in State Prison.
This investigation is part of the ongoing effort by the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force to identify those involved in the child pornography trade.
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.net and click on anonymous tip, or through the Cape May County Crime Stoppers at 609-465-2800 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.
