COURT HOUSE – County Prosecutor Robert L. Taylor announced the arrest of three people in a recent initiative to crack down on the possession and distribution of child pornography.
These arrests are a result of an ongoing investigation conducted by the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office – High Technology Crimes Unit, the Lower Township Police Department, the Middle Township Police Department, the Wildwood Crest Police Department, New Jersey State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the Department of Homeland Security Investigations.
Authorities executed court authorized search warrants and conducted these arrests between Sept. 25 and Oct. 29 in Cape May County. In addition to the arrests, computers, cellular phones, and other electronic devices were seized.
James Tierney, 50, of Wildwood Crest was arrested for the charges of possession of child pornography and distribution of child pornography. Child pornography images and videos were forensically recovered from the computer utilized by Tierney. Tierney was processed and lodged in the Cape May County Correctional Center on $50,000 full cash bail, pending court.
Patrick Grace, 26, of Erma was arrested for the charges of possession of child pornography and distribution of child pornography. Child pornography images and videos were forensically recovered from the cellular telephone utilized by Grace. Grace was processed and released on his own recognizance, pending court.
A juvenile, 17, of Rio Grande was arrested for the charges of possession of child pornography. Child pornography images and videos were forensically recovered from the cellular telephone and social media accounts utilized by this juvenile. This juvenile was processed and released to his parents, pending court.
Prosecutor Taylor urges anyone who has information concerning child pornography to report it anonymously through the Cape May County Sheriffs Tip Line at cmcsheriff.net and click on the anonymous tip, or through the Cape May County Crime-Stoppers at 609-465-2800 or 877-465-2801, as well as the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-465-1168.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
