NEWARK, N.J. – An Essex County, Belleville, New Jersey, was arrested today for allegedly possessing images of child sexual abuse and distributing them on the internet, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Mauricio Calderon, 49, of Belleville, New Jersey, is charged by complaint with one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. He is scheduled to make his initial appearance by videoconference today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Edward S. Kiel.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Between March 2020 and April 10, 2020, Calderon used an internet-based application to distribute multiple graphic videos depicting the sexual abuse of minors. During the course of the investigation, Calderon publicly posted in a chatroom multiple videos depicting the sexual abuse of children, and also sent links that redirected to web-pages containing child pornography. Law enforcement discovered numerous videos and images of child sexual abuse on Calderon’s electronic devices when he was arrested at his home this morning.
The charge of distribution of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and fine of $250,000. The charge of possession of child pornography carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, and fine of $250,000.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents with the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jason J. Molina, with the investigation leading to these charges.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn Barnes of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.
The charges and allegations in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.