Ocean County, NJ, Man Admits to Online Enticement of Minor, Child Porn

A man from Ocean County has admitted to possessing and distributing images of child pornography and to inducing a minor to send him sexually explicit images and engage in sexually explicit conduct via an online messaging service.

U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger's office says on Wednesday, 33-year-old Kevin Van Pelt of Lakehurst pleaded guilty to one count each of online enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual conduct, distribution of child pornography, and possession of prepubescent child pornography.

According to court records,

From August 2018 to October 2018, Van Pelt used multiple online messaging services to communicate with a minor victim, including repeatedly requesting that the minor send him sexually explicit images. Van Pelt also distributed images and videos of child sexual abuse over several online social media applications between December 2017 and March 2019. Van Pelt possessed images and videos of prepubescent child sexual abuse on his cellular phone when he was arrested by local authorities on May 1, 2019.

The charge of online enticement carries a prison sentence of 10 years to life along with a $250,000 fine.

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The charge of distribution of child pornography carries a sentence of five to 20 years with a $250,000 fine.

The charge of possession of prepubescent child pornography could land Van Pelt behind bars for up to decades, also with a $250,000 fine.

Sentencing is scheduled for July 20th.