Child Porn Distribution Indictment Returned Against Washington Twp. Man

A Washington Township man was indicted Wednesday for allegedly distributing child pornography over the Internet, Acting Attorney General John Hoffman said.

James Engle, 29, was arrested in Feb. 2013 as part of Operation Ever Vigilant, a wide-ranging sweep of 24 men and one juvenile male, Hoffman said. Engle was arrested on Feb. 19 when he was located at a residence in Budd Lake. Detectives found multiple images and videos of child pornography on a laptop computer owned by Engle, Hoffman said.

Engle has been charged with second degree distribution of child pornography, second degree offering child pornography, and fourth degree possession of child pornography.

Frank Fiorelli, 63, of Springfield, and Robert Rowe II, 35, of Union were also indicted for their alleged parts in the distribution ring. Fiorelli was charged in Operation Ever Vigilant while Rowe was charged in Operation Watchdog, which made arrests in 2012.

Each of the three defendants knowingly used Internet file sharing software to make multiple files of child pornography available for any other user to download from a designated shared folder on his computer, Hoffman said.

More than 50 men and women were arrested as a result of both operations, Hoffman said.

Second degree crimes carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000. Fourth degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of 18 months in prison and a $10,000 fine.