BRICK – A Township man has been arrested and charged for uploading images of child pornography to the internet, officials said.
Robert Lasher, 71, of Brick was charged with Possession of Child Pornography.
Investigation began after a referral from the New Jersey State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. The ICAC Task Force received cyber-tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that someone was uploading images of child pornography to the internet, officials said.
Authorities identified an IP address associated with a Brick home where the individual was uploading the pictures. That person was ultimately identified as Lasher, officials said.
On July 2, detectives searched Lasher’s home and seized his electronic devices. Authorities later discovered several items of child pornography on the devices.
Lasher was taken into custody at his residence. He was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer commended the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, United States Department of Homeland Security Investigations, Brick Township Police Department, New Jersey State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, for their collaborative assistance in connection with this investigation leading to Lasher’s arrest.
The charges referenced are merely accusations and the public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
