BurlCo Man Exchanged Nudes With Child, Tried To Meet Her: Authorities

TABERNACLE, NJ — A Burlington County man exchanged nude photos with an underage Pennsylvania girl and tried to meet her in-person, authorities said.

Fredderico Soda, 29, of Tabernacle, was arrested Thursday and charged with several offenses related to child pornography and sexual contact with a minor.

Soda exchanged sexually explicit photos and videos with the victim — an Eastern Pennsylvania resident — in an online chatroom, according to the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office. He continued these interactions even after becoming aware that she was a minor, authorities said.

The suspect planned to meet the victim in-person but never did so before his arrest, prosecutors said.

Soda was placed in the Burlington County Jail. A detention hearing will determine whether he stays behind bars.

The investigation began earlier this year, when the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children alerted prosecutors about Soda's alleged online activities. The victim's parents also informed police about Soda in Palmer Township, Pennsylvania.

Authorities seized multiple electronic devices during a search of Soda's home, which detectives will examine.

Soda was charged with impairing/debauching the morals of a child (second-degree), distributing child pornography (second-degree), possessing child pornography with intent to distribute (second-degree), possession of child pornography (third-degree) and obscenity to a minor (third-degree).