November 16, 2021

PLUMSTED TOWNSHIP, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on November 16, 2021, Richard Knight, 40, of New Egypt, pled guilty to Distribution of Child Pornography in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4b(5)(a)(i), and Possession of Child Pornography in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4b(5)(b)(ii), before the Honorable Michael T. Collins, J.S.C. At the time of his sentencing on January 14, 2022, the State will be recommending a sentence of five years New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) with a two year period of parole ineligibility as to the Distribution of Child Pornography charge, as well as five years NJSP as to the Possession of Child Pornography charge. The sentences are to run concurrently. Knight will also be subject to the terms of Meghan’s Law, along with Parole Supervision for Life.

This investigation, which began in December 2020, was the result of numerous referrals from the New Jersey State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The Task Force detected that a user of the program Google Meets was uploading images of child pornography to the internet. An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit identified a residence in New Egypt as the source of the uploaded images of child pornography. On June 9, 2021, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, United States Homeland Security Investigations, and Plumsted Township Police Department, executed a court-authorized search warrant on Knight’s residence in New Egypt. As a result, Detectives seized two cell phones from the residence. Further investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit revealed that Knight’s cell phone contained more than 1,000 images but less than 100,000 images of child pornography. The investigation also revealed that Knight distributed child pornography using Google Meets and other social media platforms.

Knight was subsequently arrested at his place of employment in Browns Mills on June 9, 2021; he has been lodged in the Ocean County Jail since that date.

Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Senior Assistant Prosecutor Shanon Chant-Berry who is handling the case on behalf of the State, as well as the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Plumsted Township Police Department, New Jersey State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and United States Homeland Security Investigations, for their collective and collaborative assistance in connection with this investigation leading to Knight’s arrest, guilty pleas, and soon his state prison sentence.

October 27, 2021

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–An Ocean County, New Jersey, man was arrested today on charges that he distributed, received, and possessed images and videos of child sexual abuse downloaded from the internet, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Jared Faircloth, 24, of Cream Ridge, New Jersey, is charged in a criminal complaint with one count of receiving and distributing child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography. Faircloth appeared this afternoon by videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Douglas E. Arpert in Trenton federal court and was released on $100,000 unsecured bond.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

From September 2020 to July 2021, Faircloth received and distributed material containing images of child sexual abuse via the BitTorrent Network, a publicly available online peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing network of linked computers. Users must download P2P software, which is widely available for free on the internet. The software allows the user to place files into a designated “shared” folder on his or her hard drive, from which other BitTorrent users can then download those files directly to the “shared” folders of their own computers. Users can then search, select, and directly download, those files.

Law enforcement used investigative software to access the BitTorrent Network and downloaded video files containing images of child sexual abuse from a device or devices assigned to IP addresses linked to Faircloth. On July 22, 2021, law enforcement searched Faircloth’s residence and found a device belonging to Faircloth that contained more than 2,800 images and videos depicting child sexual abuse, as well as BitTorrent software. Of those approximately 2,800 files, law enforcement identified at least 30 files that law enforcement had previously downloaded from IP addresses linked to Faircloth.

The charge of knowingly receiving and distributing child pornography carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a maximum of 20 years in prison, and a statutory maximum fine equal to $250,000 or twice the pecuniary gain or loss, whichever is greatest. The charge of knowingly possessing child pornography carries a maximum of 10 years in prison, and a statutory maximum fine equal to $250,000 or twice the pecuniary gain or loss, whichever is greatest.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, Mount Laurel, New Jersey, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Jason J. Molina in Newark, with the investigation leading to the arrest. She also thanked the Department of the Air Force, Office of Special Investigations, for its assistance.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Super Pitts of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Trenton.

The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

21-481 

Defense counsel: Benjamin West Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Trenton

• Faircloth.Complaint.pdf

**Note: Cream Ridge, NJ 08514 covers parts of Upper Freehold, Monmouth County and Plumsted, Ocean County**

September 27, 2021

On September 12, thousands of walkers, runners and volunteers participated in NJ Sharing Network’s 5K Celebration of Life Walk and USATF Certified Race at the organization’s headquarters in New Providence, NJ. The event, which was presented by Hackensack Meridian Health and Pfizer and supported by dozens of other generous sponsors, honored those who gave the gift of organ and tissue, paid tribute to those who have received a transplant, offered hope to those currently waiting for a transplant and remembered the lives lost while waiting for the gift of life.

Family members and friends of the late Cynthia (Cindy) Von Schmidt, 55, of New Egypt, NJ, gathered together to form the “Cindy’s Amazing Grace” 5K team to honor her memory and show their support for NJ Sharing Network’s life-saving mission. Cindy, who passed away in 2016, was an organ and tissue donor who saved four lives and enhanced the lives of many others. Members of “Cindy’s Amazing Grace” offered the following message during the 5K Celebration of Life:

Cindy passed away in February 2016 of a brain aneurysm. She was 55 years young, married for 35 years and a mother of two. Besides her family she had three passions. Cindy was an avid skier, a beach lover and atop it all, a baker – a true connoisseur.

Cindy would spend months baking Christmas cookies for family and friends. Along with her daughter’s help, they would decorate and ship them all over the world! From the mountains of California to our military bases in around the globe – her cookies have been there.

Cindy was the most generous woman, always offering her hand to those who needed it. From organizing donations and fundraisers for those who needed help to rescuing dogs, Cindy made many efforts to help those she could. The day she left us, she gave the ultimate gift of four life-saving donations and multiple tissue donations to help others!

About NJ Sharing Network

Dedicated to saving lives through organ and tissue donation, NJ Sharing Network is the non-profit organization responsible for the recovery and placement of donated organs and tissue for the nearly 4,000 New Jersey residents waiting for a life-saving transplant. With headquarters in New Providence, NJ, the organization, selected by NJBIZ as one of the state’s “Best Places to Work” for the fourth consecutive year, is also part of the national recovery system, serving the 110,000 people on the national waiting list. To learn more, get involved and register as an organ and tissue donor, visit www.NJSharingNetwork.org.

July 2, 2021

Rep. Chris Smith’s (R-NJ) proposal for the much-needed County Road 539 (CR 539) overpass project was approved by the full House of Representatives today as part of a larger roads and infrastructure package. Included within the transportation bill was $8 million—of which Smith secured $7 million—of federal funding to build the overpass on 539, which goes through the center of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JB-MDL) in Ocean County.

The 539 project––Smith’s top priority for inclusion in the Member Designated Projects section of the bill––would provide faster and safer routes for New Jersey drivers and military personnel to navigate CR 539 and NJ Route 70 and address significant road hazards. The heavily traveled roadways serve as critical shore-point connectors to and from federal highways on the western side of New Jersey.

“This important project will greatly reduce congestion on County Road 537 and Route 70 and enhance the safety of commuters by keeping military vehicles off these major roadways, which currently serve as common routes for travel across the base,” said Smith, who has fought tirelessly for federal funds for the project since it was first identified by JB-MDL leadership.

The $7 million secured by Smith from the federal government would represent an immense portion of the funds required by Ocean County—the project’s sponsor—to build the overpass, which is expected to cost about $10 million in total.

Smith, who represents the majority of JB-MDL, said the new overpass would allow civilian traffic to ride above CR 539, while large military tactical vehicles would be able to travel more safely and efficiently below. Smith was relentless in coordinating efforts between Ocean County officials, JB-MDL leadership, and North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) officials to provide materials necessary to convince the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee of the significance of the proposal.

Smith also secured funding for seven additional projects across Monmouth, Ocean and Mercer counties and was successful in including all of his projects in the bill. A list of each project and supporting documents can be found here.

Other proposals by Smith that passed the House include:

The Mercer County Bus Purchase project to provide for the purchase of buses and bus equipment for the County’s Transportation Resources to Aid the Disadvantaged and Elderly (TRADE) program, which provides non-emergency transportation to residents of Mercer County who are elderly and those with disabilities.

The Improvement of Koleda Park in Middletown Township project to help convert a vacant lot into useful community space;

The Point Pleasant Beach Channel Drive ADA Compliance Upgrade and Surface Revitalization project to enhance safety and ADA accessibility in a five-block shopping and business district by removing and replacing curbing and sidewalks;

The Freehold Borough Parking Improvement project to increase the existing 54 parking spaces to 67 spaces, restoring the heavily used parking lot, while also providing additional green space and reducing stormwater runoff;

The Route 35 Bridge Over the North Branch of Wreck Pond replacement project which will result in a safer and more resilient byway;

The Route 33 Bridge Over the Millstone River replacement project to replace a dangerous structure with a safer and more sound thoroughfare; and

The Mercer County Roadway Safety Improvements project to help fund several necessary roadway improvements in Mercer County, including the installation of safety reflective pavement markings, reflective object markers, reflective roadway delineators, guide rail and other treatments.