Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on June 16, 2021, Luis Castaneda-Contreras, 33, of Brick Township, was charged with 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)(iii).
This investigation was the result of a referral from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children through the New Jersey State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which identified a person in Ocean County as distributing Child Pornography via the Internet. An investigation by Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit identified a residence in Brick Township as the source of the uploaded images of child pornography. On June 16, 2021, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit and Brick Township Police Department executed a court-authorized search warrant on Castaneda-Contreras’ residence in Brick Township. As a result, Detectives seized multiple electronic devices that contained images of child pornography.
Castaneda-Contreras was subsequently arrested at his place of employment in Middletown, Monmouth County. Castaneda-Contreras was processed at Brick Township Police Department Headquarters, and transported to the Ocean County Jail where he is currently lodged pending a detention hearing.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, 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 Castaneda-Contreras’ arrest.
The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).