Hamilton man charged with distributing child abuse material – Trentonian

Mercer County Acting District Attorney Theresa L. Hilton reported that an investigation into online child exploitation has led to the arrest of a Hamilton man.

Gerald Keener, 18, is charged with one count of second-degree distribution of child abuse material (CSAM), one count of second-degree possession with intent to distribute CSAM and one count of third-degree possession of CSAM. The District Attorney’s Office has filed a motion to hold Keener in custody pending trial.

Detectives with the District Attorney’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit recently received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that an individual in Mercer County was distributing items depicting the sexual exploitation or abuse of a child. An investigation was initiated and Keener was identified as a subject.

On Wednesday, August 29, 2024, members of the District Attorney’s ICAC Unit, with assistance from the Hamilton Police Department SWAT team, executed a search warrant at Keener’s Hamilton residence, where detectives seized multiple evidentiary items. Keener was taken into custody without incident. Following Keener’s arrest, authorities learned that he is employed at the Hamilton YMCA as a counselor.

Second-degree crimes are punishable by five to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $150,000. Third-degree crimes are punishable by three to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the District Attorney’s Special Victims Unit at (609) 989-6568 or [email protected].

Acting District Attorney Hilton urges anyone with information about suspected inappropriate contact by unknown persons communicating with children over the Internet or possible exploitation or sexual abuse of children to contact his Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit at (609) 989-6568 or the New Jersey Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force tip line at (888) 648-6007.

— With thanks to the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office

Originally published: August 30, 2024 at 2:51 pm