Lakewood Man Convicted in Monmouth County Child Pornography Case

A man from Lakewood, New Jersey was recently convicted on multiple charges related to the possession and distribution of child pornography after authorities uncovered explicit files, as well as evidence of file sharing on his computer.

Lakewood resident Michael Miller, formerly of Keansburg, was convicted on charges of possession and distribution of child pornography in Monmouth County Superior Court. The verdict was announced just days ago after this case began with his arrest in February of 2012.

Miller is said to have downloaded and possessed pornographic images of children, which were then transferred to others through the peer-to-peer file-sharing software found on his computer.

Miller was likely charged with endangering the welfare of child (N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4), a section of New Jersey law that addresses offenses related to the possession and distribution of child pornography. Under this statute, charges for possession of child pornography and those for distribution of child pornography constitute two distinct offenses, each of which entails different penalties.

For example, individuals who “sell, procure, manufacture, give, provide, lend, trade, mail, deliver, transfer, publish, distribute, circulate, disseminate, present, exhibit, advertise, offer or agree to offer, through any means, including the Internet, any photograph, film, videotape, computer program or file, video game or any other reproduction or reconstruction which depicts a child engaging in a prohibited sexual act or in the simulation of such an act,” will be charged with second degree crimes in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4.

On the other hand, those who are accused of “possessing or knowingly viewing” these types of images will be charged with fourth-degree crimes, which are punishable by significantly less severe penalties.

As for Miller, he has been convicted of child pornography possession, which entails a maximum prison term of 18 months, in addition to distribution of child pornography, which is punishable by a term of incarceration ranging from 5 to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison. With this in mind, he may be required to serve his sentences consecutively (completing the first before beginning the second), or concurrently (serving one sentence for both crimes) when he appears at his sentencing hearing on May 15, 2015.

In addition, Miller will likely be required to register as a sex offender under New Jersey’s Megan’s Law and may also be subject to community supervision for life as a result of the recent verdict.

For additional information regarding this case, access the following article: Lakewood man convicted on child pornography charges