Source: United States Department of Justice News
CAMDEN, N.J. – A Camden County man was arrested for possessing multiple images and videos of child sex abuse, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.
Matthew Knapp, 38, of Lindenwold, New Jersey, is charged by complaint with one count of possession of child pornography. He made his initial appearance on Feb. 23, 2023, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sharon A. King in Camden federal court and was released on $100,000 unsecured bond.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
In February 2022, an undercover law enforcement officer conducted an online session using a publicly available peer-to-peer program, which allows internet users to trade digital files. A user shared multiple files featuring images or videos of child sexual abuse from an internet address traced to Knapp’s residence. On May 10, 2022, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Knapp’s residence and seized, among other things, a computer, three hard drives, and a flash drive that contained depictions of child sex abuse, including images of prepubescent children.
Knapp was convicted of aggravated indecent assault of a person less than 16 years of age in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, in 2007. For a repeat offender, the charge of possession of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison, a maximum of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel with the investigation leading to the arrest. U.S. Attorney Sellinger also thanked the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay; and the Lindenwold Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Michael McCarty Jr., for their assistance with the investigation leading to the arrest.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elisa T. Wiygul of the Criminal Division in Camden.
The charge and allegations against the defendant are merely accusations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.