TOMS RIVER – A Township man who was recently arrested for possession of child pornography has now been charged with distributing it.
On August 24, 2023, authorities searched the home of Edward Lynch, 52, of Toms River and seized multiple electronic devices. A forensic examination resulted in officials finding more than 1,000 items of child pornography. Further investigation revealed that Lynch was the individual responsible.
Lynch was charged with Possession of Child Pornography and taken into custody at his home without incident; he was thereafter transported to the Ocean County Jail, and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
It was recently discovered that Lynch knowingly distributed more than 1,000 items of child pornography by using apps such as Telegram, Session, and Wickr Me.
Lynch was additionally charged on April 21, 2024, with Distribution of Child Pornography, along with a second count of Possession of Child Pornography.
On that date, Lynch surrendered himself to Toms River Township Police Headquarters. 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, Toms River Township Police Department, Toms River Township Police Department Emergency Services Unit, and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, for their collaborative assistance in connection with this investigation.
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.
