A Jersey City man has admitted to possessing child pornography and naturalization fraud during the second half of 2022, U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger announced.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Ramy Mercado, 29, of Jersey City, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Claire C. Cecchi today to an information charging him with one count of possession of child pornography and one count of naturalization fraud.
From June 2022 to October 2022, Mercado used his cell phone to transmit more than 20 video files depicting the sexual abuse of minors, including infants or toddlers, court documents say.
Mercado also used his cell phone to communicate his desire for sexual encounters with young children.
During this time, Mercado applied for and obtained U.S. citizenship and stated under penalty of perjury that since his citizenship interview, he had not committed any crime or offense for which he had not been arrested.
In fact, Mercado had illegally possessed child pornography before becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen on June 22nd, 2023.
The count of possession of child pornography carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a fine of $250,000, while the count of naturalization fraud carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, and a fine of $250,000.
His sentencing is scheduled for May 22nd of this year.
