Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on February 5, 2025, Robert Lasher, 71, of Brick Township, pled guilty before the Honorable Linda G. Baxter, J.S.C. (retired and serving on recall), to Possession of Child Pornography. At the time of his sentencing – the date of which has yet to be formally scheduled – the State will be recommending a term of 364 days in the Ocean County Jail, as well as Parole Supervision for Life.
The investigation leading to this charge was the result of 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 an individual was uploading images of child pornography to the internet. An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit identified an IP address associated with a Brick Township residence as the location from which an individual was uploading images of child pornography. That individual was ultimately identified as Lasher.
On July 2, 2024, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, United States Department of Homeland Security Investigations, and Brick Township Police Department, executed a court- authorized search warrant on Lasher’s residence. An initial forensic examination of Lasher’s electronic devices led to the discovery of several items of child pornography. Lasher was taken into custody at his residence; he was transported to the Ocean County Jail and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Senior Assistant Prosecutor Shanon Chant-Berry who is handling the case on behalf of the State, and commends 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 and guilty plea.