EAST HAVEN, CT—A New Jersey prosecutor announced that among eight men arrested and charged in an online child exploitation investigation was an East Haven man.
According to Mercer County (NJ) Prosecutor Janetta D. Marbrey, the investigation by her department's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force has resulted in the arrest of several men, including Kenneth Davis, 66, of East Haven. Davis was charged with two counts of third-degree attempted endangering the welfare of a child and one count of fourth-degree attempted criminal sexual contact.
In a news release, Marbrey said that in "anticipation of the increased international and domestic travel associated with the FIFA World Cup, and the expected surge of visitors to New Jersey, the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force began the months-long investigation in March 2026.
Dubbed Operation Guardian Angel, the proactive enforcement operation targeted individuals utilizing social media applications to exploit and prey upon children. It focused on identifying and apprehending individuals who used online platforms to engage in unlawful communications and activities involving minors. Through coordinated investigative efforts and advanced cyber investigative techniques, law enforcement personnel successfully identified and arrested eight individuals.
"The Mercer County Prosecutor's Office remains committed to protecting children from online exploitation and ensuring that those who seek to victimize minors are held accountable," Marbrey said. "As major international events bring increased activity to the region, we will continue to proactively monitor and investigate threats to public safety, particularly those targeting vulnerable populations."
The other seven men charged are from New Jersey and Pennsylvania and range in age from 30 to 72.
Marbrey said second-degree crimes carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000. Third-degree crimes carry a sentence of three to five years in state prison and a fine of up to $15,000. Fourth-degree crimes carry a sentence of up to 18 months in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
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