FREEHOLD – A Freehold Township man has been found guilty for possessing and distributing child sexual abuse materials in 2017, officials said.
James Simmons, 74, of Freehold Township, was convicted on July 20 of second degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Material and third degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material.
In July 2017, investigation revealed that Simmons possessed a USB thumb drive with over 100 videos depicting the sexual abuse of a child, as well as peer-to-peer file sharing programs from electronic devices found in his home on Harding Road in Freehold Township.
After recovering these devices, the New Jersey Regional Computer Forensic Laboratory assisted in the analysis.
“I am grateful for the collaborative investigative efforts of my office’s detectives, Assistant Prosecutor Dugan, the NJ ICAC Task Force, and the Freehold Township Police Department for their work on this case. It is imperative that we continue to do all that we can to protect our most vulnerable citizens, our children, from being victimized in this way,” Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey said.
Simmons testified at trial that the materials and files found belonged to his son, who had died before Simmons was arrested.
Simmons faces more than 10 years in a New Jersey State Prison. In addition. Simmons must register for Megan’s Law, he will be under Parole Supervision for Life and will have Internet Restrictions when he is sentenced by Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Jill O’Malley on January 13, 2023.
