Crime & Safety

Cranford Man Had 10,000 Child Pornography Images: Prosecutor

Joseph Hinksmon also had 1,000 explicit videos of children, authorities said.

CRANFORD, NJ – A 41-year-old Cranford man has been charged with possessing images of child sexual abuse, according to U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito.

Joseph Hinksmon has been charged in a criminal complaint with one count of possession of child pornography.

According to the complaint, filed Friday:

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"On or about July 24, 2019, law enforcement lawfully obtained from Hinksmon’s residence multiple computers and electronic storage media belonging to Hinksmon, which contained approximately 10,000 images and 1,000 videos of child pornography, including images of prepubescent children being sexually abused."

The charge of possession of child pornography carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, officials said.

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Carpenito credited Special Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark, with the investigation leading to the charge.

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