2 Edison Men Charged With Distributing Child Porn In Statewide Investigation

EDISON, NJ — Eight men from Middlesex County, including one juvenile, were charged in multiple child pornography investigations, Prosecutor Yoland Ciccone said.

Two Edison men, Albert Leonardis and Abhishek Pandya were among those charged as a result of “Operation Eagle Eye” led by the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit of The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, Ciccone said.

Leonardis, 37, was charged with one count of second-degree distribution of child pornography, one count of third-degree possession of child pornography (under 1000 files), and one count of second degree storing and maintaining items depicting the sexual exploitation or abuse of children using a file sharing program.

Pandya, 25, was charged with one count of third-degree possession of child pornography (under 1000 files) and one count of second-degree distribution of child pornography.

Various law enforcement agencies from across the County including East Brunswick Police Department, Edison Police Department, Carteret Police Department, Monroe Police Department and New Brunswick Police Department participated in the investigation.

The juvenile was charged on Nov. 1, and the other eight men were charged over the course of two days from Nov. 17 to Nov. 18.

Here are the others charged:

• Christopher Hernandez, 18, of New Brunswick, was charged with one count of third-degree possession of child pornography (under 1000 files).
• Alexander Antoini De Oliveria, 39, of Old Bridge, was charged with one count of second-degree distribution of child pornography, one count of second-degree storing and maintaining items depicting the sexual exploitation or abuse of children using a file sharing program, one count of second-degree possession of child pornography (over 1000 files).
• Joseph Marino, 40, of Carteret was charged with one count of third-degree possession of child pornography (under 1000 files), one count of second-degree distribution of child pornography, and one count of second degree storing and maintaining items depicting the sexual exploitation or abuse of children using a file sharing program.
• Paul Rubbe, 62, of Piscataway, was charged with one count of third-degree possession of child pornography (under 1000 files).
• Edward Gicherman, 81, of Monroe, was charged with one count of third-degree possession of child pornography (under 1000 files) and one count of second-degree storing and maintaining items depicting the sexual exploitation or abuse of children using a file sharing program.
• Christopher Nicol, 20, of Plainsboro, was charged with one count of third-degree possession of child pornography (under 1000 files).
• A juvenile male, 17, of Woodbridge, was charged with an act of juvenile delinquency for offenses which if committed by an adult would constitute as third-degree possession of child pornography (under 1000 files).

The investigation is active and continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit of The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745-5924.

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