Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on July 31, 2025, Justin Thomas, 39, of Toms River, was charged with Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material.
This investigation was the result of a referral from the New Jersey State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. The ICAC Task Force received a cyber-tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that an individual was uploading images of child sexual abuse material to the internet.
An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Squad identified an IP address associated with a Toms River Township residence as the location from which the individual was uploading images of child sexual abuse material to the internet. That individual was ultimately identified as Thomas.
On July 31, 2025, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, United States Department of Homeland Security Investigations, Toms River Township Police Department and Toms River Township Police Department Emergency Services Unit, executed a court-authorized search warrant on Thomas’ residence. An initial forensic examination of a USB drive recovered from Thomas’ desk, led to the discovery of several items of child sexual abuse material. Thomas was taken into custody at Toms River Township Police Headquarters and then transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he is presently lodged.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, United States Department of Homeland Security Investigations, Toms River Township Police Department, Toms River Township Police Department Emergency Services Unit, 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 Thomas’ 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).