A West New York man was busted with hundreds of images depicting child sexual abuse after a months-long investigation, the West New York Police Department announced.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
In April, West New York police detectives launched an investigation after receiving a tip that images depicting child sexual abuse material had been uploaded and stored on a storage medium that was registered to Asael Benitez, 29, of West New York, authorities said.
Detectives determined that Benitez not only possessed these images but also held more than 500 additional images depicting the sexual abuse of children.
Then on September 4th, detectives from the West New York Police Criminal Investigation Division, with the assistance of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, executed court authorized search warrants on Benitez and his Hudson Avenue residence.
During the search, several electronic devices were seized as part of the investigation.
Benitez was then arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of a child. He was transported to the Hudson County Correctional Facility but, under the provisions of Criminal Justice Reform, was released the following day pending his initial court appearance.
This investigation remains active, and additional charges may be filed pending a full forensic review of the electronic evidence recovered.
The West New York Police Department is part of the New Jersey Internet Crimes Against Children (I.C.A.C.)Task Force, which is led by the New Jersey State Police.
This national program provides law enforcement agencies across the country with advanced resources, specialized training, and collaborative partnerships to identify, investigate, and prosecute offenders who exploit children online.
“The exploitation of children is among the most appalling and disturbing crimes any community can face. The fact that hundreds of these horrific images were uncovered in this case is deeply troubling. Through our involvement with the I.C.A.C. Task Force, our detectives are better equipped to track down offenders and bring them to justice,” Police Director Henry Codina said in a statement.
“I thank the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office for their continued partnership, and I want to make it clear that I fully stand behind my detectives as they continue this difficult work. Protecting children will always be a top priority for this department, and we urge anyone with information about these crimes to come forward.”
Anyone with information about child exploitation or related crimes is urged to contact the West New York Police Department at (201) 295-5000 or by emailing tips@wnypdnj.org.
Additionally, reports can also be made anonymously to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) Cyber Tipline at www.missingkids.org or by calling 1-800-843-5678 (1-800-THE-LOST).
