Cranford Man Charged With Sharing Child Porn Again: U.S. Attorney

CRANFORD, NJ — A Cranford man was arrested again for sharing of images of child sexual abuse, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Christopher Gardiner, 35, was charged with one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.

Gardiner was previously convicted of endangering the welfare of a child and distribution of child pornography in Union County in 2007, according to Carpenito.

Between March and June, Gardiner was allegedly having ongoing sexually graphic conversations with an undercover agent through an online app, according to documents filed in this case and statements made in court.

Gardiner also publicly posted in a chatroom multiple videos depicting the sexual abuse of children and sent similar videos to the undercover agent directly, according to the release.

Numerous videos of child pornography were also found on Gardiner’s electronic devices when he was arrested at his home, according to the report.

Gardiner faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of 40 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine on the charge of distribution of child pornography as a repeat offender.

He also faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, a maximum of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine for the charge of possession of child pornography for a repeat offenders.

He made his first appearance Monday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael A. Hammer in Newark federal court.

Below is Gardiner's full complaint:

(Image via Shutterstock / Lifestyle discove)

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