A Kearny Italian teacher has been indicted for distributing pictures and videos of child sexual abuse, about 10 months after he was initially charged, U.S. Attorney Phillip Sellinger announced.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Anselmo Girimonte, 52, of Wharton, was indicted on one count of possession of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography. He will be arraigned at a date to be determined.
Girimonte was arrested on a criminal complaint on this conduct on March 4th, 2022, and consented to detention.
From December 27th, 2021, through January 17th, 2022, Girimonte distributed material containing images and video files of child sexual abuse, via a publicly available online peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing network of linked computers.
Law enforcement officers conducted undercover online sessions to access the P2P program and during these sessions a user shared multiple video files of pre-pubescent children being sexually abused by adults from an internet address traced to Girimonte’s residence.
On March 2nd, 2022, law enforcement officers lawfully obtained a cell phone from Girimonte’s residence that contained hundreds of images and videos of child pornography, including images of prepubescent children being sexually abused.
The count of possession of child pornography carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a fine of $250,000.
The count of distribution of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a fine of $250,000.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, New Jersey Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s indictment.
He also thanked the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, the Rockaway Township Police Department, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for their assistance with the investigation.
According to his LinkedIn page, Girimonte has been an Italian teacher for the Kearny Public Schools since 2006. He was placed on administrative suspension when he was charged last year and his employment status has not changed since then.
