MONMOUTH COUNTY – After conducting a series of investigations, the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Computer Crimes Unit and the Monmouth County Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force have arrested 14 individuals since late April.
The following people have been charged with second-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child via Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Material:
- Connor Bauba, 32, of Union Beach, arrested on August 30. Investigation revealed that he was using social media to distribute child sexual abuse material.
- Benjamin Luna-Valdetano, 34, of Red Bank, arrested on August 19. Investigation revealed that he was using social media to distribute child sexual abuse material. He was additionally charged with one count of third-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child for the Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material.
- Joseph Latorre, 45, of Howell, arrested on July 28. Investigation revealed that he was using social media to distribute child sexual abuse material.
Additionally, Leonardo Andrade, 20, of Freehold was arrested on August 6 and charged with second-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child via Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material after detectives found him possessing over 1,000 items depicting child sexual abuse.
The following people have been charged with third-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child via Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material:
- Adam Vasquez, 18, of Colts Neck, arrested on May 12. Investigation revealed that he was in possession of numerous items depicting child sexual abuse.
- Jonathan Hall, 20, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, arrested on May 3. Investigation revealed that he was in possession of videos depicting child sexual abuse.
- Miguel Jacinto-Rivera, 20, of Red Bank, arrested on August 19. Investigation revealed that he was in possession of child sexual abuse material.
- Jose E. Rivera, 21, of Long Branch, arrested on April 29. Investigation revealed that he was in possession of and viewed child sexual abuse material by using a social media messaging platform.
- Christopher Lauria, 22, of Ocean Township, arrested on July 16. Investigation revealed that he was in possession of images of child sexual abuse material.
- Brandon Nelson, 28, of Hazlet, arrested on July 14. Investigation revealed that that he was in possession of images of child sexual abuse material.
- Ricky Martinez, 29, of, Keansburg, arrested on June 8. Investigation revealed that he was in possession of numerous images of child sexual abuse.
- Michael K. Russo, 51, of West Long Branch, arrested on September 3. Investigation revealed that that he possessed child sexual abuse material.
- Scott Conklin, 55, of Highlands, arrested on May 21. Investigation revealed that he was in possession of child sexual abuse material.
- William Ford, 76, of Farmingdale, arrested on September 2. Investigation revealed that he possessed child sexual abuse material.
Convictions on second-degree charges of this nature are punishable by up to 10 years in state prison; convictions on third-degree charges of this nature are punishable by up to five years. Either would also result in defendants being registered under Megan’s Law and assigned parole supervision for life.
Assisting in these investigations were members of the New Jersey State Police Digital Technology Investigations Unit (DTIU), the New Jersey State Police ICAC Task Force, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), New Jersey Regional Computer Forensic Laboratory, and the Monmouth County Sherriff’s Office.
The Monmouth County ICAC Task Force includes members of the following police departments: Bradley Beach, Eatontown, Howell, Long Branch, Manalapan, Marlboro, Neptune Township, Spring Lake, Tinton Falls, Keyport, Keansburg, Belmar, Holmdel, and Red Bank; the Task Force also receives investigative support from the police departments in Long Branch, Colts Neck, Highlands, Hazlet, Howell, Union Beach, Keansburg, Red Bank, West Long Branch, Ocean Township, Freehold Township, and Freehold Borough, as well as the New Jersey State Police (Hamilton Barracks).
Charges are merely accusations until proven in a court of law.
